Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James’ company Uninterrupted has apparently filed a trademark application for the phrase “Shut up and dribble.”
A corresponding request is loud USA Today filed with the United States Trademark and Patent Office. The term should therefore probably be used for downloadable virtual goods. So for virtual shoes, clothes, headgear, glasses, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and jewelry in computer programs.
The application also appears to list social media posts, video games and other forms of entertainment industry as possible uses.
The phrase “Shut up and dribble” goes back to a comment by Laura Ingraham back in 2018. After LeBron James and Kevin Durant released a video criticizing then-President Donald Trump, the Fox News presenter got angry about athletes who spoke out about political and social issues.
“You get $100 million to bounce a ball. LeBron and Kevin, you are great players, but no one voted for you. Keep your political comments to yourself. Shut up and dribble,” she attacked the NBA stars. The two responded and countered Ingraham’s criticism. James later even produced a documentary series of the same name.
