The Seahawks organization may have a problem when it comes to using the 12th man phrase pretty soon. In 1990, Texas A&M first coined it and then obtained a federal trademark for the phrase. The Seahawks and Texas A&M then settled on a payment of just $5,000 annually and Seattle had to acknowledge Texas A&M’s rights to the phrase in 2006.
The agreement between both parties was renewed in 2011, but now it comes to an end in 2016. The Aggies have acknowledged that negotiations for a new deal have begun and claim they are in favor of renewing the agreement. However, at what price is the big question?
The Seahawks have profited well from the use of the phrase, so it’s safe to assume that a $5,000 price tag probably won’t cut it anymore.
[h/t ProFootball Talk]