Deion Sanders resolves lawsuit over 'Prime' logos, case dismissed - USA Today
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders has resolved a lawsuit that accused him of ripping off a graphic designer in Nebraska who claimed he created the “Prime” logo for Sanders and wasn’t compensated for it.
Attorneys for Sanders and the designer, Alan Tipp, jointly asked a federal court in Nebraska to dismiss the case “with prejudice,” meaning Tipp’s complaint against Sanders can’t be refiled. Such joint stipulations typically mean the case was settled.
“Plaintiff and Defendants shall each bear his or their own costs and attorneys' fees,” said the joint stipulation obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
The court then noted on Nov. 3 “this case has been dismissed.”
Terms of any settlement were not disclosed. Attorneys for Sanders and Tipp didn’t immediately answer questions about it from USA TODAY Sports.
Tipp filed the lawsuit in January 2025, saying he created the P21ME and TRUTH logos for Sanders in 2011, which incorporate his old 21 jersey number with his nickname as Prime Time and Coach Prime. The P21ME logo later has been used on Blenders sunglasses, Nike products and other Colorado gear.
The lawsuit named Sanders, Prime Time Enterprises and Sanders' business agency, SMAC Entertainment, as defendants and sought a judgment in excess of $75,000.
Sanders’ attorneys denied the allegations in court records. Sanders also submitted a declaration with court in August, claiming the logos in question were part of his previous endorsement deal with the sports apparel company Under Armour.
After Sanders ended his deal with Under Armour around July 2023, Sanders said he continued to use the trademarks.
“No one at Under Armour, or anyone else, objected to my use of these logos until this lawsuit was filed,” Sanders said in his declaration.
Tipp’s complaint alleged he was induced to sign a “work-for-hire agreement” in which Tipp would relinquish his rights to the logos effective Aug. 1, 2011. He claims he signed the agreement based on false promises that he would be part of Sanders’ marketing team after that.
Sanders’ attorneys were attempting to have the case thrown out of court with a summary judgment ruling before the joint filing to dismiss the case.
Documents filed with Sanders’ legal team noted Tipp never owned copyrights to the logos. They said Under Armour engaged design company Eyeking to create sunglasses, with Tipp working as the director of design.
“Tipp has never owned any rights, much less copyrights, in the logos,” Sanders' attorney stated.
The claims against Prime Time Enterprises and SMAC Entertainment also have been dismissed.
Sanders and Colorado next face Arizona State on the road on Nov. 7. The Buffaloes are 3-5 after snapping a five-game losing streak last week with an overtime win against Kansas State.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com
