Bucs T-Shirts Get NFL's Goat

(From The Tampa Tribune -- By Alan Snel)

THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (NFL) says WFTS
(Tampa, FL), violated trademark rights by handing out free "GO BUCS!" T-shirts at the TV station before Saturday's game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.

The local ABC affiliate, across the street from RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM, ignored a cease-and-desist letter Saturday and faces possible legal action from the league,
NFL Spokesman GREG AIELLO said Tuesday.

"Our attorneys will take all necessary steps to protect the rights of the clubs," Aiello said. "The use of the Buccaneers name is a violation of intellectual property rights."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after getting the green light from the NFL, refused to allow WFTS's ABC Action News to attend a press conference held by coach JON GRUDEN, said Bucs spokesman JEFF KAMIS. The Bucs lost, 17-10, to the Washington Redskins in the playoff game Saturday carried locally on WFTS.

BILL CAREY, WFTS Vice President and General Manager, said the T-shirt issue was resolved Monday and that he has not spoken with the NFL. Carey acknowledged two people claiming to represent the NFL contacted the station Saturday, but they did not show identification.

"We have talked with the Bucs and all parties understand each other and the matter has been put to bed," Carey said Tuesday.

The Bucs are looking into the T-shirt matter, Kamis said.

"This is obviously a serious matter. Our organization and the NFL doesn't take this matter lightly," Kamis said.

Aiello said the NFL has not heard from WFTS, so he doesn't understand how the station can consider the issue resolved.

Carey said several thousand free T-shirts were given to fans as a marketing ploy because the game was on ABC. The shirt said, "GO BUCS!," above the ABC Action News logo.

"It made sense. It was a festive day. We were marketing the TV station and wishing the team well," Carey said.

The TV station handed out similar "GO BOLTS!" T-shirts when the Tampa Bay Lightning competed in THE 2003-2004 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS. In that case, WFTS had a deal with the Lightning, Carey said.

Complicating matters Saturday, he said, was that the Bucs have a partnership with local TV station, WFLA.

Carey said it was "regrettable" that the Bucs denied his TV station access to the Gruden press conference. The NFL has staff lawyers and consultants to contact companies and individuals about alleged violations "from time to time," Aiello said.

He did not have an exact number.