A few days ago we learned that Dak Prescott is suing the maker of the “Dak Dynasty” and “Dak Attack” shirts. It’s a move basically required by the NCAA as it would affect Prescott’s eligibility if he ignored someone who is profiting off his likeness. After multiple cease and desist letters, Dak was forced to take action.
So now we know these shirts are not as legitimate as the makers claimed them to be. This isn’t just a case of someone trying to make a quick dollar, it’s a sick and twisted way of trying to make a quick dollar.
After Dak Prescott’s mother died, the makers of the shirt came to me asking if we would help them promote a benefit for a good cause. They claimed the t-shirts were going to support Huddle Up for Cancer in honor of Dak’s mom. They said they had the blessing of the family and approval from Mississippi State, so it seemed legit. I guess you could say I didn’t do my due diligence, but I am not a journalist and didn’t think someone would be so low to do a thing like this. Clearly that was a mistake.
They even managed to get the SEC Network to promote the shirts.
The makers of this shirt declined to comment when asked by Maroon and White Nation, so I don’t know their ultimate motives in this venture. Was it totally for personal financial gain, or was it a way to side-step NCAA by-laws? As Clay Travis pointed out on Friday, by ignoring the letters and forcing Prescott to sue, they could settle for a monetary sum thereby paying him legally – even if Dak isn’t aware of the scheme. Brilliant? I don’t know, but it’s still cheating. I’m not up for finding NCAA loopholes, I’d rather just win the right way. I doubt, however, that this is actually their plan. Highly, highly doubt it.
Making t-shirts seem to be a fad this year. Some folks from Laurel decided to get in on it with these silly shirts.
If you want to make these shirts for yourself and your family to wear, knock yourself out. When you start selling them, that’s a problem. There’s a reason there are “officially licensed collegiate merchandise” stickers and tags – because you have to have a license to sell these types of things. When you don’t follow the rules, you put people who are following the rules behind the 8-ball, and that’s just bad form.
But more importantly, by using Dak’s name you are committing a NCAA violation. He has to write letters for you to stop, and then sue you when you ignore those letters. If you’re a State fan, you should not buy this type of merchandise. Doing so only hurts the university. It hurts the program and the player.
I’m a capitalist. I love the entrepreneurial spirit. But follow the rules. Make items like the cowbell holster – items that don’t violate protected copyrights or NCAA rules trying to make a dollar or two. Mississippi State is bigger than that, and deserves better than that.