Ocho Cinco To Pay Reebok 4 Million For Name Change?

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http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/sh...t=AuGLijpi_vSt03OEydeCstZDubYF?urn=nfl,106605

It'll cost mucho dinero for Chad Ochocinco to switch jerseys

Don't expect to see Chad Johnson Ochocinco wearing his new name on a jersey anytime soon. CNBC's Darren Rovell reports on his blog that the former Mr. Johnson would be forced to buy out the stock of the 100,000 remaining "C. Johnson" jerseys before making the switch to "Ochocinco". If Reebok asked Ochocinco to pay for the cost of making the unsold jerseys, the total could reach upwards of $4 million (or $50 million pesos).

Because Johnson changed his name so close to the start of the season, Reebok was left in a bind since they'd have to produce new jerseys and eat the old ones. That's why the NFL has told Johnson he'd have to reimburse the company for the price of the jerseys. That's not unprecedented, rookie linebacker Keith Rivers did it last week when he changed his uniform number. Of course, Rivers didn't have thousands of jerseys with his name on it on sales racks nationwide.

This whole charade, of course, is pretty ridiculous. Johnson is so narcissistic he makes T.O. look like Mother Teresa. And the NFL is so blatant in their attempts to block Johnson from donning his new name on the back of his Bengals jersey that it almost seems beneath them. Sure, it's inane and self-serving and could set a bad precedent, but shouldn't the league be focusing on more important issues, like stopping players from celebrating touchdowns?
 

ThunderCard

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I am not a lawyer, but how can they make him pay for jersey's like this? This is the first time I have ever seen a company trying to do this.
 

TheCardFan

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That is a power play by the NFL.

Does Reebok make a player buy the extra jerseys when he is traded or retires early?

They don't have control over a player changing his name but they want to control their product.

I can't imagine too many players going through the hassle of legally changing their name but it does open the door for someone to get really silly or offensive with a name change.
 

Shane

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I think its fantastic. Kudos NFL. The NFL isnt a circus. Chad Johnson is disgrace.
 

dreamcastrocks

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I think its fantastic. Kudos NFL. The NFL isnt a circus. Chad Johnson is disgrace.

Huh?

This is ********. Lets say Reebok creates 10M Brady jerseys. Well, he got hurt the first game and is on IR for the rest of the year, so his jersey doesn't sell.

Would you be ok with the NFL trying to get those jersey sales from Brady too?

Shouldn't matter if you like Chad or not, this is crazy.
 

Shane

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Huh?

This is ********. Lets say Reebok creates 10M Brady jerseys. Well, he got hurt the first game and is on IR for the rest of the year, so his jersey doesn't sell.

Would you be ok with the NFL trying to get those jersey sales from Brady too?

Shouldn't matter if you like Chad or not, this is crazy.

Nope. Its fanfreakingtastic and I love it.

The NFL is the classiest and best run sports organization in the world bar none.

Chad Johnson is likely the unclassiest player in the game and is all about himself.

The NFL isnt a stage for Johnson to promote himself. This is the ultimate team sport and a team game. Anything that accentuates the me me me me mentallity should be squashed 10 fold.

This isnt the XFL where that schoolboy clownery should be acceptable. His name change isnt something personal for him. Its just more of a stupid game he is playing to hype himself and nothing more.

Screw him and his wishes.
 

dreamcastrocks

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Nope. Its fanfreakingtastic and I love it.

The NFL is the classiest and best run sports organization in the world bar none.

Chad Johnson is likely the unclassiest player in the game and is all about himself.

The NFL isnt a stage for Johnson to promote himself. This is the ultimate team sport and a team game. Anything that accentuates the me me me me mentallity should be squashed 10 fold.

This isnt the XFL where that schoolboy clownery should be acceptable. His name change isnt something personal for him. Its just more of a stupid game he is playing to hype himself and nothing more.

Screw him and his wishes.

This is Reebok, not the NFL. Changing your name is perfectly legal, and the NFL doesn't have a problem with it, now that they went through the legal channels to do so. This is Reebok trying to get their money back, when the new jersey should outsell the previous one anyway.

I have a hard time seeing how this would hold up in the court of law, unless Chad signed a contract that specified that he cannot change his name or be held liable.
 

Shane

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This is Reebok, not the NFL. Changing your name is perfectly legal, and the NFL doesn't have a problem with it, now that they went through the legal channels to do so. This is Reebok trying to get their money back, when the new jersey should outsell the previous one anyway.

I have a hard time seeing how this would hold up in the court of law, unless Chad signed a contract that specified that he cannot change his name or be held liable.

Its Reebok through the NFL. LOVE IT! :D
 

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Latest update is that the NFLPA is fighting Reebok over this issue.
 

abomb

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I fully expect Reebok to cave when the NFL flexes its "um, your merchandising contract is up a couple of years and this whole league could be wearing Nike or UnderArmor" muscle.
 

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I fully expect Reebok to cave when the NFL flexes its "um, your merchandising contract is up a couple of years and this whole league could be wearing Nike or UnderArmor" muscle.

This is assuming the NFL wants to see "OchoCinco" on the back of Johnson's jersey, and I don't think they do.
 

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This is assuming the NFL wants to see "OchoCinco" on the back of Johnson's jersey, and I don't think they do.

BINGO! There is no doubt in my mind that the NFL doesnt want that on his jersey on Sundays.
 

dreamcastrocks

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This is assuming the NFL wants to see "OchoCinco" on the back of Johnson's jersey, and I don't think they do.

NFL already ruled that if he changed his name legally, they would allow it on the jersey.
 

dreamcastrocks

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Doesnt mean they want to see it happen.

I guess. This is also why there is a player's association setup that have the player's best interest in mind.
 

Shane

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I guess. This is also why there is a player's association setup that have the player's best interest in mind.

Having OCHO CINCO on the back of the jersey doesnt have his best interest in mind. Only his best ego in mind.
 

dreamcastrocks

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Having OCHO CINCO on the back of the jersey doesnt have his best interest in mind. Only his best ego in mind.

What's in a name?

If that Ocho Cinco on the back hypes him up for the game, it works for him and the Bengals and in turn the league.
 

Mulli

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They should all change their names to 5-11 starting with Marvin Lewis.
 

Shane

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What's in a name?

If that Ocho Cinco on the back hypes him up for the game, it works for him and the Bengals and in turn the league.

Your name is who you are. Its your family history and your heritage. Its your TRUE identity.

Chad Johnson isnt no more hyped on Sunday no matter what the hell is on the back of his jersey.

Do you really think if he ever has kids he will be naming them OCHO CINCO? I highly highly doubt it. Although with him I guess I wouldnt be surprised. The NFL isnt a circus nor should it be treated like one.
 
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