A trademark infringement lawsuit involving Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce has intensified, with 1587 Sneakers accusing the duo of misrepresenting their involvement in the 1587 Prime steakhouse. The sneaker company contends that the athletes are attempting to distance themselves from the business to avoid legal liability in New York, where the case is currently being litigated.
Court documents reveal that legal counsel for Mahomes and Kelce filed a motion on July 3 seeking to dismiss all claims against them with prejudice. In a formal opposition filed on August 4, 1587 Sneakers argued that the athletes are the “generative force from which the infringing mark derives its entire identity and market appeal.” The filing further asserts that the defendants are attempting to recast themselves as mere “pretty faces” of the enterprise, despite their active roles in its development.
The restaurant, which opened on September 17, 2025, derives its name from the jersey numbers of Mahomes (15) and Kelce (87). While the establishment’s website identifies the pair as co-founders in partnership with Noble 33, the athletes maintain they lack control over the restaurant and possess no significant ties to New York. The sneaker company disputes this, emphasizing that the “1587” branding was specifically constructed from the players’ respective jersey numbers.
The legal conflict centers on competing trademark claims. 1587 Sneakers alleges it began selling products on April 13, 2023, and claims priority of use, although it did not formally apply for the “1587” trademark until October 2025. That application, which pertains to the clothing category, remains under review by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In contrast, the “1587 Prime” trademark was filed in December 2023 and is categorized under bars and restaurants.
As the litigation continues, 1587 Sneakers is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent the restaurant from using the name or selling branded merchandise. The company is also pursuing punitive damages. The ongoing dispute highlights the complex intersection of celebrity branding and intellectual property rights, with the court now tasked with determining the extent of the athletes’ personal involvement in the venture.
According to court records obtained by Sports, counsel representing Mahomes and Kelce requested to dismiss all claims asserted against the duo with prejudice on July 3.
Meanwhile, 1587 Sneakers’ initial suit indicates the company began selling its product on April 13, 2023.