King Sport, in a move that might be legally prudent but is public-relations quicksand, has sent cease-and-desist letters and threatened suits against New Orleans companies selling T-shirts that bear the city's and Saints fans' ubiquitous and beloved ``Who Dat'' catch-phrase.
The phrase's origin is traced as far back as a 1890s Vaudeville song and has been part of Saints lore since the early 1980s: ``Who dat, who dat, who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints!?''
It has become an interwoven part of New Orleans' funky culture -- a street slang belonging to the city, its people and long-suffering fans.
But, ``If `Who Dat' is used in a manner to refer to Saints football, the NFL [and the Saints] own the rights to it,'' goes the statement from the league.
Hmmm.
I think that cease-and-desist letter needs to go to the NFL for needlessly and rather callously alienating Saints fans the very week of their first Super Bowl appearance.
I am hereby advocating that Warner Communications Inc., parent of DC Comics, sue the NFL because ``Super Bowl'' infringes on the Superman trademark.
Crazy!!!The phrase's origin is traced as far back as a 1890s Vaudeville song and has been part of Saints lore since the early 1980s: ``Who dat, who dat, who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints!?''
It has become an interwoven part of New Orleans' funky culture -- a street slang belonging to the city, its people and long-suffering fans.
But, ``If `Who Dat' is used in a manner to refer to Saints football, the NFL [and the Saints] own the rights to it,'' goes the statement from the league.
Hmmm.
I think that cease-and-desist letter needs to go to the NFL for needlessly and rather callously alienating Saints fans the very week of their first Super Bowl appearance.
I am hereby advocating that Warner Communications Inc., parent of DC Comics, sue the NFL because ``Super Bowl'' infringes on the Superman trademark.
G
