Cubs and Nationals take on WNBA in ‘The W’ trademark fight, raising fresh questions over logo rights The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals have challenged the WNBA’s attempt to trademark “The W” for sports clothing, turning a dispute over one short phrase into a trademark case involving three major sports organisations. The WNBA filed its apparel application in March 2025, covering items such as jerseys, shirts, caps, footwear and other clothing. The Cubs and Nationals filed an opposition at the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board on August 10, arguing that the mark could create confusion with their existing “W” trademarks. The case is now moving through the trademark process.
Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals point to long history with ‘W’
The two MLB teams have different reasons for protecting the letter. The Washington Nationals use a stylized “W” as their main team logo. The mark has been closely linked with the franchise since its move to Washington, D.C., after the former Montreal Expos became the Nationals.The Chicago Cubs have an even older connection to the letter. After a Cubs win at Wrigley Field, the team has traditionally raised a white flag with a blue “W.” The tradition dates back to at least 1937 and remains a familiar part of the club’s identity.According to Front Office Sports, the teams and the WNBA have been discussing the matter. “The Cubs and Nationals are in a trademark dispute with the WNBA over ‘The W.’ An MLB source tells FOS the sides are engaged in discussions and expect the issue to be resolved ‘amicably,’” the report said.The WNBA’s current application is specifically for clothing. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office record shows that WNBA Enterprises filed the application on March 26, 2025, under the standard-character mark “THE W.” The listed products include sports jerseys, shirts, hats, socks, footwear, jackets, shorts and pants.
WNBA’s ‘The W’ trademark faces question over possible confusion
This is not the first time the WNBA has sought protection for “The W.” In August 2024, WNBA Enterprises filed another application for the phrase, but that filing covered basketball-related entertainment and educational services rather than clothing.The current fight is therefore about how “The W” could be used on merchandise. The Cubs and Nationals have existing registrations for several “W” marks, giving them a basis to challenge the new application.Trademark attorney Josh Gerben told Front Office Sports that the wording of the WNBA’s mark could help the league. “That creates what we call a really unique commercial impression,” Gerben told the Front Office Sports. “A consumer that sees the phrase ‘The W’ versus just the stylized W that the Washington Nationals have or that the Cubs are using in some cases, the argument is that consumers aren’t going to get confused.”The WNBA has increasingly used “The W” as a nickname for the league, particularly since its 2019 rebrand. However, owning the phrase for basketball-related services does not automatically settle whether it can also secure trademark protection for clothing.The trademark case will now determine whether the WNBA can receive protection for “The W” on apparel despite the Cubs’ and Nationals’ existing rights to their own “W” marks.