Skateboard apparel company sues Phil Mickelson, LIV Golf over logo

Once again, “LIV Golf” and “lawsuit” have worked their way into the same sentence. This time, it involves Phil Mickelson and the league’s HyFlyers GC logo.

According to ESPN, Cool Brands Supply filed a lawsuit against LIV Golf and HyFlyers GC for trademark infringement. The team is captained by Mickelson — one of the first defectors from the PGA Tour to LIV.

The lawsuit alleges that LIV Golf copied the logo of its Fallen brand. Below are the side-by-side images of the two logos — which appear incredibly similar.

🚨#NEW: LIV Golf’s HyFlyers GC are being sued in New Jersey Court for trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed by Cool Brands Supply alleges that their logo, which has been in use since 2003 by one of their popular skate brands has been ripped off. LIV (left) vs. Fallen… pic.twitter.com/1Wjw5uzhNH

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 12, 2023

Per ESPN, attorneys for Cool Brands Supply wrote the “defendants’ adoption and use of their knockoff logo nearly twenty years after Plaintiff commenced use and in the face of Plaintiff’s federal trademark registration is not just reckless and inexplicable — it is willful infringement and unfair competition.”

The company says it has been using the logo since 2003.

“The similarities between the two marks, particularly when used on clothing, are striking, and are confusing consumers and causing damage to Plaintiff’s senior mark and brand,” Cool Brands Supply’s attorneys wrote. “Plaintiff previously demanded that Defendants cease use of their infringing logo, and they refused.”

Along with Mickelson, the HyFlyers GC roster includes James Piot, Brendan Steele and Cameron Tringale.

Phil Mickelson reacts to LIV Golf, PGA Tour merger

Last week, the PGA Tour made a stunning announcement, revealing that it reached an agreement to work with LIV Golf. Because of the standoff between the two sides, it was one of the most shocking announcements in the sports world.

Mickelson was all smiles after the news was made official, though. He didn’t have much to say on Twitter, but enough to get his point across.

“Awesome day today (smiling emoji),” Mickelson wrote on Twitter.

Since making the move from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, Mickelson has tweeted the praises of the new league. And in May, he made the claim that LIV put players in the best position to compete in major championships.

“Love LIV or hate it, it’s the best way/Tour to be your best in the majors,” Mickelson wrote on Twitter. “Enough events to keep you sharp, fresh and ready, yet not be worn down from too many tournaments or obligations. 14 LIV events, 34 weeks left open to prepare for the 4 majors. Fact.”

To his point, he and Brooks Koepka (also a LIV Golf member) finished The Masters in a tie for second, behind winner Jon Rahm (PGA Tour). Koepka went on to win the PGA Championship with fellow LIV member Bryson DeChambeau finishing in a tie for fourth.

We’ll see how the LIV Golf pros perform at this week’s U.S. Open.