An athlete's "brand" typically crosses the spectrum of trademark and right of publicity laws in the United States. Trademark laws protect the player's name, associated brands and logos, nicknames popularized by fans, and other distinctive source identifiers. The right of publicity (a state-specific law) generally protects the athlete's name, likeness, and other identifying features. In this article, Finnegan attorney Danny M. Awdeh discusses how athletes have successfully exploited their brand identities through sponsorships, endorsement, speaking opportunities, licensing agreements, and other commercial endeavors.
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