Houston banned from wearing Oilers-inspired alternate jersey by NFL for bizarre reason as fans fume ‘who does it hurt?’
THE University of Houston football team has been left feeling blue by the NFL.
The Houston Cougars have been ordered by the NFL’s merchandising and licensing division to stop wearing their Houston Oilers-inspired Luv Ya Blue jerseys.
Houston wore the throwback jerseys for the September 2 season opener against the University of Texas at San Antonio.
The uniform is a baby blue jersey with red accents, and white pants with baby blue and white stripes down the side.
Now the NFL has threatened legal action over what is called the “blatant copying” of the Oilers-inspired jerseys, according to the Houston Chronicle.
"The Houston Cougars' attempt to free ride on the popularity of the NFL and the club violates the intellectual property rights of the NFL and the (Tennessee) Titans," NFL attorney Bonnie L. Jarrett wrote in a cease and desist letter.
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The Tennessee Titans have retained the rights to Houston Oilers trademarks after the team relocated in 1996.
The Titans wore Oilers throwback jerseys against the Atlanta Falcons over the weekend.
The letter added that the NFL and the Tennessee Titans were "disappointed to learn that the Houston Cougars made unauthorized use of the Oilers Trade Dress in a manner that is likely to cause consumers to believe that the Houston Cougars are associated with, or are an authorized licensee of, the NFL and the Titans."
The league also wants Houston to “discontinue all sales of merchandise and remove any promotional campaign or social media posts that feature the popular light blue, or Columbia blue, with red stripes color scheme and design.”
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The school has already taken down some social media posts and removed images from in-game hype videos that featured the throwback jerseys.
Houston argued that the the jerseys are “part of a nostalgic moment, paying homage to a bygone era in the city’s football history while also recognizing the city’s connection to the light blue that was a recognizable fixture for years in the Houston Police Department.”
Many football fans are upset by the NFL's cease and desist letter.
"This does not make any sense," one fan said.
"Buzz kill.....those are awesome throwback," another said.
"No Fun League strikes again," a third added.