With the new coming NHL expansion team in Seattle, there has been a ton of speculation regarding what the team will be named. Possible team names have circulated, including; Totems, Emeralds, Rainiers, Sockeyes, Renegades, Sea Lions, Seals, Evergreens, Whales, Cougars, Eagles, Firebirds and the very popular, Kraken.
While Kraken seems to be the fan favorite, the Seattle Sockeyes has also gained popularity as a high-potential name for the NHL's newest expansion team.
The only concern regarding the Sockeyes, would presumably be Jami Davenport, a sports romance novelist who writes of a fictional hockey team, the Seattle Sockeyes. Davenport trademarked the Sockeyes name when she began writing her series based around the fictional team, which could cause potential issues if the name is chosen.
Davenport has received numerous messages from future NHL Seattle fans regarding the name and trademark on it, telling Davenport to give up the hold on the name.
"I did get a lot of nasty grams from people," says Davenport, "They tell me things like, 'Give up the name. You just write trash."
She's also been told things like "You're apparently motivated by greed" and "Please don't let your book series lead them to choose Kraken."
Davenport has been very clear, if the NHL Seattle wants to use the Sockeyes name, she will not stand in the way. She commented on the subject;
"People need to understand that I'm not the person stopping them from using the Sockeyes name."
She even contacted the franchise, in the form of "a very nice letter," stating she was willing to work with them regarding the name, despite the trademark. She also explained to The Athletic that she trademarked the name back in 2017, it was purely for the best interest of her own business, as she has invested time and money into designing logos and promoting her book series. She made very clear that it was not an attempt at a 'cashgrab' down the line, assuming the NHL Seattle decided on the Sockeye name.
"When I first trademarked the name, which was late 2017, I was a little worried they might pick Sockeyes," says Davenport. "After talking to some attorney friends, they said they could force you to change everything at your expense. I trademarked it."
She also commented, in regards to whatever team name NHL Seattle decides;
"I think it's [Sockeyes] the best of all the names. Obviously, I picked it."
Source: https://theathletic.com/
If the NHL's Seattle expansion franchise wants to name the team the Sockeyes after Jami Davenport's romance book series about the Seattle Sockeyes, she won't stand in the way. Find out more from @CraigCustance. https://t.co/j8FFTJjDMU— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) February 3, 2020
