The NBA icon that owns the ‘Three-Peat’ trademark
The Kansas City Chiefs are on the brink of a historic Super Bowl three-peat but they have had to broker a deal to use the term.
Whatever happens at Super Bowl LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs have written their name into NFL history books.
They are the first team to reach five Super Bowls in six seasons and have already won back-to-back championships. A win on Sunday, however, would elevate them above every other NFL team in the Super Bowl era.
Since its introduction in 1966 no team have won three consecutive Super Bowls. The Kansas City Chiefs are on the brink of a famous ‘three-peat’ triumph but they have had to ask permission to use that phrase.
Mahomes was eyeing a three-peat before the confetti was done falling last year 😈 @Chiefs pic.twitter.com/AYSr9vUPRd
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) February 5, 2025
Who owns the ‘Three-Peat’ trademark?
The Chiefs could make history in the NFL with a third back-to-back title but in other sports the feat has been achieved multiple times. The Chicago Bulls and the New York Yankees are among those who have achieved the feat in the US, while Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Ajax have all lifted the European Cup in three consecutive seasons.
The term ‘Three-Peat’, along with five other variations, is a registered trademark in the United States. Bizarrely, the NBA icon that owns the trademark fell just short in his attempt to win one.
Pat Riley is often referred to as ‘The Godfather’ of NBA and has won a staggering five NBA championships as head coach. He won four of them with the LA Lakers during their ‘Showtime Lakers’ era in the 1980s.
In 1988, after winning a second straight title, Riley filed for the ‘Three-Peat’ trademark and was successful with his claim. However his team could not complete the job and were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons the 1989. The following decade the Bulls went three-for-three, twice.
The Chiefs are looking to add their names to that elite list this year and they will be able to use the term if they beat the Eagles this Sunday. CNN report that an agreement has been reached with Riley, now president of the Miami Heat, to use the term ‘Three-Peat’ if they can complete the historic treble.
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