The Kansas City Chiefs have a chance to make history at Super Bowl LIX, as a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9 in New Orleans would secure their third consecutive championship. No team in NFL history has ever achieved this feat, making it a potential golden era for the franchise.
The Significance of a Three-Peat
Winning three consecutive titles is commonly referred to as a “three-peat.” If the Chiefs manage to accomplish this rare feat, they could find themselves linked to an unexpected figure—NBA coaching legend Pat Riley.
Pat Riley and the Three-Peat Trademark
Riley, a nine-time NBA champion and current president of the Miami Heat, holds multiple trademarks on variations of the phrase “three-peat,” according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). His business, Riles & Company, Inc., owns trademarks on “three-peat,” “3 peat,” and “threepeat.”
The origin of the phrase dates back to the 1980s when Riley, then head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, coined the term after the team won back-to-back titles. While the Lakers ultimately fell short of achieving the milestone, the phrase gained widespread recognition when Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls successfully secured a three-peat in 1993.
Disputed Origins of the Phrase
Though Riley popularized the term, its true origins remain a topic of debate. Some credit Lakers guard Byron Scott, who reportedly first said “twee-peat,” which Riley later refined. However, former Lakers player Wes Matthews also claimed credit for coining the term.
“I just thought of it as a catchy slogan,” Matthews told ESPN in 2014 as quoted by CNN. “I give Pat a ton of credit for having the vision to do what he did. I bet he made out real well when the Bulls did it.”
Could the Chiefs Owe Riley for Using 'Three-Peat'?
Owners of trademarks can claim infringement if unauthorized branding creates consumer confusion. This means that if the Chiefs win and use the term “three-peat” in their celebrations or merchandise, Riley could potentially benefit financially.
Trademarking the term was as easy as “going out there and picking up a penny on the ground,” Riley told ESPN in 2005. He acknowledged the financial potential but clarified, “I don’t pay any attention to it. If somebody wants to license that phrase, we’ll license it to them. But I don’t go out and pursue it. We don’t sell it; we don’t browbeat anybody. If they want it, they go to somebody and they’ll pay us a royalty on it.”
A Historic Moment for Kansas City
As the Chiefs prepare for the highly anticipated Super Bowl showdown, the prospect of a historic three-peat looms large. While the focus remains on the game itself, the potential financial impact of their victory—beyond football—adds another intriguing layer to their pursuit of greatness.