You're probably used top hearing stories of athletes becoming embroiled in nasty legal battles with their managers, sponsors and even ex-teams.
But their own mothers?! Nah, surely not.
Well, unfortunately for Luka Doncic, he is currently going toe-to-toe with his mum in court.
The NBA star has sadly confirmed that he has filed a petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office regarding the cancellation of the “LUKA DONCIC 7” trademark.
It's understood this trademark is owned and controlled by Doncic's mother and, surprise surprise, she isn't willing to give it up easily – and given her son's superstar status, who can blame her?
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Respected NBA reporter Marc Stein shed some more light on the rather sticky situation unfolding in the Doncic household.
On his website, Stein wrote: "Dončić faced a Tuesday deadline with the USPTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to file the petition. It is the latest step in the All-Star's months-long quest to regain full control of trademarks that bear his name — several of which are in the hands of his mother Mirjam Poterbin.
"In November of his rookie season with the Mavericks in 2018-19, at age 19, Dončić gave Poterbin consent for the registration of his full name as a trademark. After numerous attempts to negotiate a transfer of control for that registration, according to his lawyers, Dončić provided written notice in July 2021 that he wished to revoke that consent. Dončić’s operating company Luka99 Inc., with whom all his brand partnerships hold agreements, functioned as the formal petitioner in Tuesday's filing.
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"Shortly before the start of the 2021-22 season, Dončić unveiled a new logo to appear on all of his Jordan Brand shoes and clothing and which incorporates his initials (LD), his uniform number (77) and an S representing his home country.
"But his initial attempts to register “LUKA DONCIC” as a trademark under his control were preliminarily refused by the USPTO because of the existing “LUKA DONCIC 7” trademark, which Poterbin has refused to relinquish and makes use of Dončić’s previous logo."
Doncic also provided a comment of his own to Stein.
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“I have a lot to look forward to as I continue to grow as a player and a person and it’s important to me to control my own brand and focus on giving back to my communities,” The Dallas Mavericks fan favourite said.
The young NBA star will be hoping this legal battle resolves itself sooner than later.
Above anything else, it'll surely make the family Christmas very frosty.
Topics: Australia, NBA, Basketball
Max Sherry