Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. don’t have much in common aside from the use of the No. 8, which appears on Jackson’s jersey and Earnhardt’s race cars. Apparently, Jackson isn’t a fan of Dale Jr. and the No. 8 on the doors of his Chevy, because he’s taken legal action to prevent the NASCAR star from trademarking the number.
DEJ Holdings, an Earnhardt company, applied to trademark two stylized variants of the No. 8 last year, according to a report from Fox Sports. One of those was the heavily slanted No. 8 that Dale Jr. himself raced under during his years at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI), along with a blockier version currently used by his team, JR Motorsports (JRM), in the Xfinity Series.
Jackson took issue with the JRM No. 8, claiming that it appears too similar to the typeface on his jersey and for his own brand, Era 8. The DEI-style No. 8, meanwhile, remains unchallenged by the NFL star.
“[Jackson] has expended considerable time, effort, and expense in promoting, advertising, and popularizing the number 8 in connection with his personality and fame … with the result that the relevant purchasing public has come to know, rely upon, and recognize [his] trademarks as very strong indicators of the source of [his] products provided in connection with his marks,” reads the filing.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) April 4, 2025
The challenge was filed on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025. A few days later, Dale Jr. issued a response on social media, announcing that JRM would ditch its stylized No. 8 and instead revive the slanted DEI-style No. 8. Had Dale Jr. and his team pursued the JRM No. 8, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board would have determined whether or not that particular number could be trademarked. In the event of a denial by the appeals board, Lamar Jackson could have sued Earnhardt for trademark infringement.
The DEI No. 8, though, is safe. Dale Jr. recently gained the ability to trademark this particular number after its original trademark with DEI expired.
Comments
Did not know Jackson could count that high.
It appears there are a lot of things you don’t know.
Ted Williams 9 is the best number. 9 is better than 8.
George Costanza 7
I hate to tell Lamar but I as the owner of the Eight Ball on my pool table may sue him on copyright infringement.
He’s Grandfather used that style “8” back in the 60’s. It has appeared on Dale Sr.’s 64 Chevelle also. Who’s infringing on who here?!
This guy is “BRAIN DEAD”
REPARATIONS! Always looking for that freebie!
At a salary of 55 million a year I don’t believe a freebie is what he is looking for.
God ! Let me be on that Jury Pool ! DJ has used that number and font for at least 30+ years, Lamar’s number might be 8 … but as a past NASCAR Sponsor (the #51 car w/Jim Bown) many things go into trademarking a design … Lamar needs to play with balls, er ball and shut up.
Just another frivolous lawsuit of the rich and famous. Move along now!
I got a 8 ball of a guy on 8 mile. I am more worried getting sued by Lamer then the Detroit cops right now.
Lamar Jackson, what a turd.