Bart Scott may have made the biggest catch-phrase trademarking splash with his recent claim to “Can’t Wait!,” but because the Jets were eliminated from the playoffs just a week later, his attempt to sell gear with the exclamation on it didn’t catch on.
Another figure in sports, however, also recently made his signature line an official trademark, and there may be significantly greater staying power in this case. Gus Johnson, the planet’s most hyperbolic announcer — who isn’t calling a Mexican soccer game — took ownership over his “Rise and Fire” line that he repeatedly uses in the midst of his patented buzzer-beater calls.
Johnson will be launching a website in the coming weeks which will sell Rise and Fire gear.
“The reason to trademark the phrase was to create a brand and a movement out of his signature call that can be instantly recognizable by his fans to inspire passion,” Johnson’s marketing agent Christian Gesue told CNBC. “Rise and Fire celebrates the moments of excitement and raw emotion that embodies athletic merit and achievement, in all forms, from all over the world.”
Gus got his first opportunity to call a buzzer beater on Friday, as George Mason stunned Villanova.
Photo of the Day
Is Gus Johnson the best announcer in sports today? Do you want to dress like him? Leave your thoughts below.Â
Screengrab from YouTube.
Quote of the day
““We are willing to negotiate. But we don’t want to negotiate with Bob Batterman, Jeff Pash or Roger Goodell. Our executive committee needs to negotiate with Jerry Jones, Bob Kraft, Jerry Richardson — their executive committee. People that are willing and can agree to a deal. Jeff Pash can’t agree to a deal.”
–Mike Vrabel, on the NFL lockout
Comment of the day
The blowout loss to the Rockets was bad, but it wasn’t this bad.
“Trade me! I hate to be on this team. I want to go to Miami or Lakers.”
–KG
Tweet of the day
Neither are really known for their in-depth sports coverage…
Video of the day
There are buzzer beaters going on in the NBA too? You won’t see a smoother one than this swish by Jameer Nelson from the beyond the arc. Too bad Gus can’t be in 10 places at once.
