Denard Robinson T-shirts break NCAA rules, Michigan tells retailers
You can't put this image of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson on a T-shirt.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
T-shirts with the likeness of Michigan sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson or other players go against NCAA rules, and the university sent letters last week asking retailers to end the production and sale of them, the Michigan Daily reports.
“Anytime we see apparel out in the market that involves a student-athlete … we would send a cease and desist letter to them,” Michigan athletic department spokesman David Ablauf told The Daily.
NCAA rules forbid items "that include an individual student-athlete's name, picture or likeness."
Underground Printing in Ann Arbor received a letter from Michigan, noting that 11 T-shirts violated NCAA regulations. Among the shirts The Daily noted: “Nard Dog,” “Shoelace,” “The Five Hundred Yard Man” and “We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Shoelaces.”
Owner Ryan Gregg told The Daily that he plans to work with Michigan officials.
"Whatever they ask us to do, we try to help," he said, declining to talk further about the letter.
Comments
racerx
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 2:49 a.m.
Oh, but according to the NCAA, it's okay for Diseny (nee, ABC, ESPN)to use his likeness to promote him and his team's next game on TV during a commerical. What a bunch of hypocrites!
Matt
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 2:23 a.m.
"Or you can go to Zazzle or Cafe press and make your own" What did i say? Zazzle has their own designs for Shoelace/Denard t-shirts, you don't have to design anything.
Townie56
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 10:18 p.m.
This is news?? Who cares, in five weeks when the record reflects reality, it will be a non- issue.
Jaime
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 8:34 p.m.
I can understand the NCAAs position. For years there have been boosters trying to put money in the pockets of players and potential recruits. So one again the crooks have messed thing up for the honest people. Maybe its just an excuse for the NCAA to put more money in their own coffers. At least the scholarship players are getting their education paid for. I just hope they take advantage of it.
Sean T.
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 4:58 p.m.
This is sad because it is an infringement on Denard's rights and he should be compensated. NCAA, along with the University of Michigan and every other college should not be able to sell jerseys or t-shirts from current athletes. It should be after they are not with the University, that way the player can get paid! But you know they won't share money with the player.
msddjohston
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 4:52 p.m.
Run the Press
DAN
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 3:40 p.m.
This sounds like a new barrier for small businesses
Lokalisierung
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 3:21 p.m.
"I thought these were only available from street vendors," Or you can goto zazzle or Cafepress and make your own.
Matt
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.
I thought these were only available from street vendors, but they're available from at least 3 sites online, zazzle.com has 5 different "Shoelace" t-shirts
oldblueypsi
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.
Since when are independent retailers subject to the NCAA "Book of Rules and Other Foolish Jibberish"?
A2D2
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 2:20 p.m.
okay, forget Denzel. But if the Washington Huskies try to sell any t-shirts, he'll be all over them.
Thomas Jones
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 2:20 p.m.
Really..... come on!!!! UM is just mad because they are not the ones collecting the money from this idea!!!!
A2D2
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 2:09 p.m.
Do Smokey, Frank, Brooks, Denzel, David or Mrs. Robinson know about this? Are they behind the madness? Are they out for the money?????????. A valid story because of the silliness of it all. But then again when it comes to the NCAA, silliness is as silliness does.
Cash
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
And who do you suppose alerted the NCAA to these small vendors selling shirts in Ann arbor? Hmmmm.... In the end it is only about money. But then in the end that's all that NCAA athletics is about.
Skipit3
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
Check out this article: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-ncaalawsuits
Lokalisierung
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 1:06 p.m.
" it's the NCAA, not the university." Yes, good point there. Still stupid, but let's blame the right people. Easy fix, these businesses just need to sell the shirts out in front of the game, not in their stores.
Forever27
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 1 p.m.
Thanks Ed, but that doesn't really say anything about my main point which is that the street vendors are getting away with it no problem. I understand they copyright issue. However, the U seems to be selective with their targeting.
Forever27
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.
This was nothing but an attempt by the university to make sure that they are the only ones profiting from Denard Robinson. They sent a C&D letter to Brian Cook over at MGoBlog because of all the t-shirts they have there. Of course, we still see the vendors outside the stadium selling the unlicensed apparel with no repercussions.
treetowncartel
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.
Michigan is probably in the process of Trademarking these things, and they can then sell licensing rights once he goes pro.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 12:16 p.m.
"will DR profit from his brand if used by the NCAA?" of course not...that's is against the rules...imagine that eh?
KeepingItReal
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.
I don't see how the NCAA can prohibit a private entity from printing these shirts unless DR is a licensed brand by the NCAA. If that's the cause, will DR profit from his brand if used by the NCAA? The Adidas brand is already profiting from DRs name "Shoelace." Does DR have anything to say about this or does he not have any rights. I think his family should have something to say about this.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.
Give me a break! Big teams never let anyone get the money they think should be theirs. I mean seriously, has the U dopyrighted the word "shoelaces" now? Was this going on last year with "May the Forcier be with you" shirts? God forbid fans support their team. OLuckily, anyone these days can go online and make their own shirts with whatever they want.
doctrsnoop
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.
I can see that you wouldn't be allowed to print a likeness, but I don't see how you can be stopped from printing a non-team identifying shirt with a number, and possibly even the name Robinson. And certainly you could have a shirt with the Shoelace on it.