Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza could potentially be in for a copyright battle with Lucasfilm ahead of his rookie NFL season.<\/p>\n
Mendoza is attempting to trademark the nickname “Nandolorian” for use on apparel, according to an application<\/a> filed Monday with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (h\/t attorney Josh Gerben<\/a> of Gerben IP).<\/p>\n The nickname was first used by the Raiders in the team’s 2026 schedule release video.<\/p>\n “The Mandalorian” is a trademark<\/a> registered by Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas’ company Lucasfilm.<\/p>\n Gerben<\/a> that parody is allowed under federal trademark law, but that issues could arise from Mendoza attempting to use the nickname commercially.<\/p>\n Should Disney, the parent company of LucasFilm, decide to contest the filing, they could either contact Mendoza and request the application’s withdrawal or file an opposition proceeding, Gerben reported.<\/p>\n If approved, the trademark would give Mendoza exclusive use of the nickname on athletic apparel as well as other items of apparel including t-shirts and hoodies.<\/p>\n This isn’t the first time the Raiders have been connected to the Star Wars universe. Allegiant Stadium has been referred to as the “Death Star” since team owner Mark Davis first used<\/a> the comparison in 2020.<\/p>\n It also isn’t the first time an NFL player has taken action to trademark merchandise featuring their nickname this offseason.<\/p>\n Bears quarterback Caleb Williams filed multiple trademarks for the nickname “Iceman” this March, per Patrick Finley<\/a> of the Chicago Sun-Times. If approved, Williams would hold exclusive rights to use the nickname on merchandise including apparel, sporting goods, posters and downloadable trading cards, Finley reported.<\/p>\n A rival trademark application for “Iceman” was filed days later by former San Antonio Spurs star and Basketball Hall of Famer George Gervin, per Finley<\/a>. <\/p>\n