In an unlikely cross-sports legal battle, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is set to challenge NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. over trademark registrations featuring the number eight.
Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP who wears the number eight for the Ravens, currently owns trademark registrations for ‘Era 8’ and ‘Era 8 by Lamar Jackson’. Earnhardt Jr. meanwhile is known for driving the No.8 Budweiser Chevrolet between 1999 and 2007 – a number his dad, Dale Earnhardt Sr. also ran.
Recently, it was revealed Jackson had launched a legal challenge to Earnhardt Jr.’s attempts at marketing the number eight, with trademark attorney Josh Grben breaking the news on social media.
Grben, who outlined Jackson’s legal issues with Earnhardt Jr.’s trademark filings, wrote: “1) He [Jackson] is widely associated with the number 8 due to his prominence in the NFL and the branding of his merchandise
“2. Earnhardt Jr.’s registration could falsely imply a connection between the two athletes and infringe on his established rights, and 3) Purchasers and prospective purchasers are likely to mistakenly believe that the products Earnhardt Jr. offers are related to the products and services provided by Jackson.”
It is not the first time Jackson and his team have challenged a sports star over the number eight, with the Ravens passer having already battled three-time Super Bowl-winning ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman for the word ‘EIGHT’ back in 2024.
However, after hearing the news of Jackson’s efforts to thwart Earnhardt Jr., fans on social media took to their phones, tablets and laptops to voice their fury about the situation. “Dale Earnhardt Sr. ran that 8 20 years before Lamar Jackson was even conceived,” one user wrote on X.
A second added: “Shame on you Lamar. That #8 is from DEI, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated a race team that Dale JRs dad created, a team he was driving for when his father passed away on the track during the 2001 Daytona 500. Suing Dale JR for that #8 is pathetic and disgraceful. Shame on you.”
A third commented: “Dale Earnhardt Sr. ran that 8 20 years before Lamar Jackson was even conceived. If thats not enough, Dale Earnhardt first stepped into the #8 Budweiser chevrolet when Jackson was only 2, and last ran it before Jackson’s first high school football game so he has zero claim here.”
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A fourth said: “Whelp just lost respect for Lamar this is just chickenshit the DEI #8 existed way before this Era 8 brand you do not want to piss off Dale Earnhardt/JR fans it will be very bad. Lamar and his team need to get their shit together this is not something he needs to go after.”
And a fifth commented: “One thing I have to say about Lamar Jackson: GET B—! You can afford to lose a chunk of change on your contract for this waste of time lawsuit against Dale Earnhardt Jr. Seriously, the world does NOT revolve around you and your selfish ego.”
