*LeBron James is turning an insult into a likely million-dollar brand after trademarking the phrase “Shut up and dribble!”
The comment was initially slung toward James as an insult from #FoxNews host Laura Ingraham in 2018. At the time, she slammed James for criticizing former President Donald Trump.
The #NBA icon wasn’t pleased with #Trump’s lack of leadership and said he “don’t give a f**k about the people.” Ingraham, a longtime Trump supporter, told James he needed to stay out of politics and instead, “shut up and dribble.”
James refused to “shut up and dribble,” continuing to show that he is much more than a ball player. Since Ingraham’s ridicule, James has continued to use his massive platform to speak out about social issues.
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Now, the 37-year-old is about to cash in on the once degrading comment. According to the #UnitedStates Trademark and Patent Office, his company, Uninterrupted, Inc., filed to trademark the phrase earlier this week.
In the filing, the company indicated that “Shut up and dribble” would be used on a variety of “downloadable virtual goods.”
These virtual goods will consist of computer programs featuring clothing, footwear, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys, and accessories.
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At the time (2018), James also spoke to the Associated Press after hearing Ingraham’s rant and said ‘I will not just shut up and dribble,’ vowing to continue using his platform to ‘talk about what’s really important.’
‘I will definitely not do that,’ James said of Ingraham’s demand. ‘I mean too much to society. I mean too much to the youth. I mean too much to so many kids that feel like they don’t have a way out and they need someone to help lead them out of the situation they’re in.’
Now, James is set to increase his $1 billion net worth from the comments, and will profit from video, social media posts, music and games that include the phrase.
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