Utah Mammoth NHL Team Faces Trademark Dispute with Hockey Equipment Company
The Utah Mammoth, a National Hockey League team previously known as the Coyotes, faced a trademark dispute with Mammoth Hockey, a hockey equipment company. The team relocated from Arizona to Utah and adopted the Mammoth name and logo for the 2024-25 NHL season. Mammoth Hockey raised concerns about potential consumer confusion due to the team's name, despite the differences in their products and branding.
Smith Entertainment Group, the owners of the Utah Mammoth, filed a federal lawsuit in response to the trademark dispute. The team asserted its right to use the name under federal and state law, emphasizing that their use of the name would not harm Mammoth Hockey's business. Both parties issued statements to the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, outlining their positions on the matter.
The Utah Mammoth and the NHL expressed confidence in their legal right to use the team name and stated that they had carefully considered the situation before taking legal action. Mammoth Hockey, on the other hand, vowed to vigorously defend its trademark and protect its brand, which has been established over the past decade in the hockey equipment industry.
Previously, the NHL franchise had considered using the name Utah Yeti but faced obstacles due to a lack of agreement with YETI Coolers, LLC. The ongoing dispute between the Utah Mammoth and Mammoth Hockey highlights the complexities of trademark issues in the sports industry.