Skip to Content

Trademarks: Can You Legally Make and Sell NFL Products in Your Craft Business?

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Additionally, I may get commissions for purchases made through other affiliate links in this post.

Football season is already in full swing, and you might be ready to start making personalized gear to show support for your favorite team (go Bears!).

Or, you may see listings online for gorgeous handmade items with NFL logos or team names. Before you start making and selling NFL products, you should know that it may not be okay for you to do so.

Today on Cutting for Business, I’m going to answer this question: “Can I make and sell NFL items?

My answer: “No, you can only make NFL items if you are licensed by the NFL to do so.

Follow-up question: “How are handmade product sellers on Etsy doing it?

My answer: “Illegally.

Trademarks: Can You Legally Make & Sell NFL Products in Your Craft Business? - cuttingforbusiness.com

What is Trademarked to the NFL?

The NFL explicitly states these items are trademarked:

“The NFL Marks include, among others, the NFL shield, the words SUPER BOWL and PRO BOWL, the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl logos, and the team names, nicknames, colors, symbols, emblems, helmet designs and uniform designs.”

Source: NFL.com

Requirements to Get an NFL License

The NFL has several criteria that must be met before a license is issued (source). These include:

  • You must have 3 years of business experience.
  • You must be the manufacturer.
  • You must prepay a royalty guarantee (approximately $100,000).
  • You must carry commercial insurance policies in the amounts of $6 million and $12 million in liabilities.
  • You must submit the pre-qualification application with business, banking, and tax return information.
  • You must attach annual reports, product catalogs, and credit references when submitting your application.

Where to Fill Out an NFL Licensing Application

To start an application for official NFL licensing, visit IMG Licensing.

NFL Player Licensing

If you are interested in licensing individual NFL players (their name, number, likeness, signature, or voice), you can apply for licensing through the NFL Players Association.

While it probably isn’t attainable for the average craft business to become licensed to legally sell NFL products, you can still create handmade football gear themed around your favorite team.

  • Use general sayings or designs. For example: words like “football”, a football design, the silhouette of a football player, or a goal post design would be okay to use.
  • Do not use the team name or NFL names in your design, listing, or description.
  • Football related sayings like “Football Mom”, “Keep Calm and Tackle Hard”, and “Eat, Sleep, Play Football” are all okay to use.
  • Football shaped monograms or swirly/embellished football designs are okay to use.
  • You can use player numbers, but don’t mention the player, in your design. The NFL has no way to file against you for solely using a player number.
  • Using patterned or other printed vinyls can add interest to “boring” designs.

What Happens If I Sell NFL Products Without a License?

If you don’t want to get licensed and still want to sell NFL items, you should know that if you are caught by the trademark holder (the NFL), your store or shop can be shut down. Additionally, you can be forced to pay back all monies made from the items, your supplies could be confiscated, and you can be prosecuted for trademark/copyright infringement.

Unfortunately for small sellers, big corporations have far more resources to legally pursue you and you will not win the battle. It’s worth noting that the NFL is active on Etsy and listings that infringe their trademarks are regularly removed.

College & University Licensing

While it may be too much for craft businesses to get licensed to legally make and sell NFL products, many colleges and universities have crafter’s licenses and programs.

Kirsten

Friday 18th of August 2023

Is the zubuz pattern trademarked? I had that pattern on a buffalo from my own design that was flagged.

Christine Schinagl, Cutting for Business

Thursday 7th of September 2023

A quick TESS search shows that the name Zubuz is trademarked.

gustavo

Wednesday 24th of June 2020

Hi Christine,

thank you so much for this article. The comments helped answer a lot of questions too. So thank you for posting this and thanks to everyone else for commenting.

my approach to this situation goes as followed: I sell sports stickers online ( mainly through word of mouth and geo-micro marketing) I haven't heard from any lawyers; yet. The way I see it is as long as I'm not putting a dent in the companies pocket and fly under the radar I can potentially be in the clear. mail call is probably the most stressful part of the day. I'm definitely not riding around in a Ferrari with the plates reading $ticker King but it paying some bills

can you please clarify the process if/when I'm caught? because I've had the impression that a company sends a cease a desist letter first as a warning.

as a small fish, I feel that I'm only worth getting a letter sent to rather than having a lawyer take me to court. it would probably cost them more then what they would get from my earnings lol. they can't catch every one!

Christine, Cutting for Business

Wednesday 24th of June 2020

Hello! First, I'd start with this post: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/6-trademark-myths-you-have-to-stop-telling-yourself-in-your-craft-business/. Pay attention to number 1.

To answer your question, no, Cease & Desist letters are not required and are only a courtesy. Plenty of companies will simply file a lawsuit and send you the details.

Jim Thrien

Wednesday 1st of January 2020

What if I have a players number on the shirt with a painting of him making a touchdown? Is that infringement? Thx.

Christine, Cutting for Business

Friday 3rd of January 2020

That's a shade of gray. I'd recommend you reach out to a trademark attorney for clarification.

Jamie

Saturday 7th of December 2019

If I was to sell someone a blank item. And they asked me to put a NFL team logo on it. Would that be illegal if they paid and then made the request?

Christine, Cutting for Business

Friday 3rd of January 2020

Yep, illegal.

Melinda

Wednesday 25th of September 2019

Do you know if it is illegal to print off the NFL logo and use to make earrings for myself or to give away, but not sell or make any money whatsoever?

Christine, Cutting for Business

Wednesday 25th of September 2019

Yes, it's still a trademark infringement. Read more in this post: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/6-trademark-myths-you-have-to-stop-telling-yourself-in-your-craft-business/