As the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans get set to renew their annual rivalry on the gridiron, it looks like ESPN has created a brand new rivalry of its own with the University of North Texas.
In a promo ad for the upcoming Michigan-Michigan State game, ESPN referred to Michigan State as the “Mean Green” in references to the school’s dominant color. While these promotions have played it fast and loose with monikers in recent years, perhaps as a way to make them more casual, using an actual college nickname for a different school seems like a big no-no. That’s especially true when that nickname is copyrighted.
wow! michigan vs north texas in primetime on saturday can't wait! pic.twitter.com/X5ZKXclUoB
— nick (@nick_pants) October 4, 2017
Word got back to North Texas athletics director Wren Baker about the promotion and he immediately took to the main resource America uses now to disseminate all it’s important information: Twitter.
Hey @espn & @MSU_Athletics , without a doubt @MeanGreenSports is the hottest athletic dept in the country. BUT you can’t just try to steal #MeanGreen. It’s trademarked and has been for a very, very long time. Cease and desist letter on the way. https://t.co/7g69KeEm0T
— Wren Baker (@wrenbaker) October 4, 2017
“Hey @espn & @MSU_Athletics, without a doubt @MeanGreenSports is the hottest athletic dept in the country. BUT you can’t just try to steal #MeanGreen. It’s trademarked and has been for a very, very long time. Cease and desist letter on the way.”
On one hand, it’s comical that the AD of a university decided to communicate directly with ESPN and Michigan State via social media rather than call them directly. On the other hand, it worked. He also wasn’t kidding about his threat, as USA TODAY Sports confirmed that the school’s licensing attorneys were ready to send that cease and desist warning on Wednesday morning.
However, cooler heads would prevail and our short, regional nightmare was soon over. ESPN quickly released a statement acknowledging the mistake and their plans to correct it for future promotional ads. They also absolved Michigan State of any blame on the misappropriated nickname.
From ESPN on the North Texas/Mean Green/Michigan State situation pic.twitter.com/7EweDNvGKR
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) October 4, 2017
Though, it should be noted that the Spartans are guilty of using the phrase willy-nilly from time to time as well.
Spartans showing off the new Mean Green Hyper Elite Disruption uniforms. pic.twitter.com/5QXdysbU1x
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) January 23, 2016
The whole thing was a minor blip for ESPN and MSU, but it actually ended up being a nice national PR hit for North Texas. And as the dust clears, it looks like Baker and UNT are leaning into it.
Thx to ESPN for reaching out quickly & correcting Mean Green usage. I appreciate MSU AD Mark Hollis for reaching out as well. Love the national respect for our brand! pic.twitter.com/M4yhgIrwRh
— Wren Baker (@wrenbaker) October 4, 2017
There’s only one Mean Green! Show your support. Be there Oct 14th.https://t.co/O4eOOxGEsb#BeatUTSA #GMG pic.twitter.com/HM9QUrHVGH
— Mean Green Sports (@MeanGreenSports) October 4, 2017
Much like Texas A&M’s 12th Man, now everyone knows that you can’t just use the phrase “Mean Green” at your leisure when the context is college athletics. Cue NBC’s “The More You Know” shooting star…
