In 2025, Kansas City Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes ventured into the culinary world, launching their new restaurant. However, this exciting endeavor has hit a legal snag. The duo, alongside their business partner, is embroiled in a lawsuit concerning the restaurant's name, 1587 Prime, which cleverly merges their jersey numbers.
The issue arises from a trademark infringement claim by 1587 Sneakers, a company that shares the same numerical identity. According to 1587 Sneakers' co-founder Adam King, there was hope for a peaceful resolution from the beginning. King expressed a desire for mutual respect and understanding in a statement to ESPN, indicating that this sentiment remains unchanged as they seek an amicable solution.
The sneaker company is pushing for Kelce and Mahomes to abandon the restaurant name, citing potential consumer confusion. They are also requesting a halt on merchandise sales bearing the name and are seeking unspecified damages. Despite seeming minor, the lawsuit highlights several inquiries received by 1587 Sneakers from individuals mistakenly associating them with the Chiefs' stars' venture.
Interestingly, 1587 Sneakers has been in operation since April 2023, yet they only filed for the "1587" trademark in October 2025, which is still under review. On the flip side, Kelce and Mahomes filed their trademark in the bar and restaurant category back in December 2023. This timeline adds layers to the legal complexity, as the two businesses operate in distinct industries.
Trademark expert Josh Gerben, who isn't representing either party, weighed in on ESPN, suggesting that the sneaker company faces an uphill battle. Gerben pointed out that trademarks can coexist across different sectors. The crux of the matter is whether a restaurant and a shoe company are too similar, and if consumers might mistakenly believe there's a connection between the two.
As this legal drama unfolds, it’s clear that the intersection of sports, business, and law can be as intricate as a well-executed play on the field. Fans and legal enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see how this case resolves.