Key Takeaways
– Jim Pons, the purported designer of the New York Jets’ iconic logo from the 1970s, is suing the team over its use.
– Pons is seeking compensation for his contribution, insisting he created the logo outside of his regular duties while working for the team as a film and video director.
– The Jets have reacted to the lawsuit, calling the claim baseless and meritless, pointing to a 50-year history of the logo’s use and registration.
– This setback precedes the team’s training camp, with further updates likely to be sparse as preparations for the 2024 season ramp up.
The New York Jets are grappling with a legal dispute off the field as their training camp nears. The contention revolves around their vintage logo, with a former employee, Jim Pons, filing a lawsuit against the team.
Pons’ Claim to the Logo
Pons alleges that he was the brains behind the logo back in the 1970s while he was employed as the team’s film and video director. The logo in question was adopted by the Jets during a revamp in 1978, a design which Pons insists he submitted when the call for a new logo went out. Discontented with how the Jets and the NFL have responded, Pons now seeks what he deems to be rightful compensation for his work.
What’s the catch? Pons asserts that he developed the logo independently of his usual tasks with the team, which, in his view, justifies his claim. The actual amount he seeks to recover via the lawsuit is not specified in the initial report by TMZ.
The Jets’ Rebuttal to the Lawsuit
The Jets, on the other hand, have categorically refuted Pons’ claim and believe it to be without substance. Reacting to the lawsuit, they stated, “The mark in question has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for nearly 50 years. The mark has been used continuously in numerous iterations since that time. We find this claim baseless and without merit.”
In the team’s view, the continuous use of the logo, which featured on their uniforms until 1997 and was reinstated partially in 2022, strengthens their stance. For the 2024 season, the Jets also announced the logo’s permanent return.
Considering the logo’s intermittent use over decades, the timing of Pons’ lawsuit surely raises eyebrows. Updates on the litigation’s progress are likely to be infrequent, especially as the Jets are gearing up for the upcoming 2024 season.
Jets Gearing up for Training Camp
As the team prepares for training camp, there is no dearth of news. The spotlight in June was on the status of stellar quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was conspicuously absent from compulsory minicamp. The team’s head coach Robert Saleh, however, reassured fans that his absence was not a distraction.
As mysteries surrounding Rodgers’ absence were addressed, insider Connor Hughes reported that Rodgers had been on a scheduled trip to Egypt. To add to the excitement surrounding the Jets, former cornerback Antonio Cromartie is back, joining the coaching staff.
Finally, with Rodgers healthy, a host of new faces, and the throwback logo lawsuit, the Jets are sure to keep fans on their toes as training camp kickstarts. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling journey to the 2024 season.