Last week, Seattle Seahawks star running back Marshawn Lynch filed a trademark of the now-household phrase “I’m just here so I won’t get fined,” which he popularized during Super Bowl XLIX media day.
Marshawn Lynch has had a storied history with the media, giving reporters little to nothing worth printing during interviews. Some say it is selfish for him to withhold his opinion from his fan base, and some say it is unfair to force the football player to speak about the game. Either way, it generates substantial controversy that Marshawn and his ‘Beast Mode’ apparel line can cash in on.
During media day last year, Lynch gave only one interview, to Deion Sanders and offered the response “about that action BOSS.” That term has since been trademarked and stamped on t-shirt and sweatshirts in his ‘Beast Mode’ line. This year, Lynch utilized his media day appearance to create the even catchier tag line “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” The phrase refers to a fine imposed upon him by the NFL earlier this year for not speaking to the media.
Chris Bevans, who runs the ‘Beast Mode’ line, said there has been substantial demand for apparel emblazoned with the phrase. Listening to the customers, Lynch filed to trademark it and will be debuting products with the tag line within the next month.