The New Orleans Saints were riding high the 2009-2010 NFL season. After making it all the way to Superbowl 44 the coined phrase "WHO DAT" by Saints fans was making media headlines. The full phrase "who dat said they gonna beat them saints" had become a city and nation wide battle cry for all saints everywhere. Fans were becoming addictive to the saying which started the production of the apparel. The "WHO DAT" merchandise stirred up controversy with the NFL and the Saints organization. NFL Government Relations and Public Policy Vice President Jeffrey Mille advise those manufacturing the "Who DAT" apparel to discontinue their operations or face trademark infringement. The NFL was concerned with the brand of the Saints football organization as well as their own, so they say.
The NFL came under heavy scrutiny from the fans and the city of New Orleans due the lawsuits against. This lead to the Leagues dismissal and approval of the phrase, which they never controlled in the first place. In my opinion the NFL was just after more money, go figure. This is so common of them to try taking every piece of the pie that they can get their hands on. The only legitimate argument that the NFL had in my opinion was the fact that some shirts seem closely associated with NFL owned apparel. When the controversy first broke they tried to banned the use of the "WHO DAT"phrase stating that somehow it was NFL owned, Yea Right! What the NFL is trying to do here is almost disgusting. Taking a phrase made up by the people and fans of New Orleans and trying to Trademark it as there own to make money is just greedy.
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