Just as Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel may be on the brink of being able to profit on his name and likeness for the first time in three years, his efforts to protect that right have been placed on hold.
According to espn.com, the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office has suspended Manziel's trademark application for the rights to the phrase "Johnny Football" until a previous application is withdrawn or declined. NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from profiting from their name and likeness. Manziel, however, is expected to declare his eligibility for the 2014 NFL Draft, which would free him from NCAA restrictions.
Manziel applied for the trademark through his corporation, JMAN2 Enterprises, LLC., last February after the nickname "Johnny Football" took hold midway through his freshman season in 2012. The move was made to prevent others from profiting off the phrase while Manziel was unable to do so himself.
The first trademark application came from Kenneth R. Reynolds Family Investments. The Manziel camp claims the Reynolds application is invalid because the phrase refers to Manziel, and Manziel did not give consent.
If Manziel's trademark application is ultimately cleared, the merchandising dollars that could result from the "Johnny Football" phrase could be extremely lucrative for Manziel.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
