In new case filings, Klutch Cannabis denies that it has infringed on trademarks by Klutch Sports Group — an agency with longstanding ties to NBA superstar LeBron James — and is asking an Ohio federal court to determine as much.
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Google AI 22 May 2026
Klutch Cannabis is actively fighting a federal trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Klutch Sports Group, the high-profile sports agency founded by Rich Paul and heavily connected to NBA superstar LeBron James. [1, 2]
In a 111-page response and counterclaim filed in an Ohio federal court, ATCPC of Ohio LLC (operating as Klutch Cannabis) denied all allegations of infringement. The cannabis operator is asking the court to issue a declaratory judgment protecting its branding and has gone a step further by urging the court to dismantle and cancel two federal trademark registrations held by the sports agency. [1, 2]
The Core of the Legal Battle
The legal dispute centers on the use of the name “Klutch,” crown imagery, and specific aesthetic choices. [1, 2]
- The Lawsuit from Klutch Sports: Filed in March 2026, Klutch Sports Group alleges that Klutch Cannabis deliberately copied its brand identity. The agency points to the marijuana operator’s use of a black-and-gold color motif, a crown logo, and a virtually identical block-letter font on its storefronts, packaging, and merchandise apparel. Klutch Sports argues this has caused actual marketplace confusion, citing incidents where consumers thought the sports agency was launching or endorsing a marijuana line.
- The Counter-Argument from Klutch Cannabis: In its filing, Klutch Cannabis targets a major contradiction in the sports agency’s historical legal filings. According to Crain’s Cleveland Business, Klutch Cannabis revealed that between 2022 and 2024, Klutch Sports argued under oath to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that “CLUTCH” or “KLUTCH” is part of a crowded field. In those filings—made while securing trademarks like Klutch Athletics—the sports agency claimed that adding a single distinguishing word is enough to eliminate consumer confusion. Klutch Cannabis argues that adding an entire industry descriptor (“Cannabis”) definitively separates the brands. [, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9]
Overview of the Case
| Feature [1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9] | Klutch Sports Group | Klutch Cannabis (ATCPC of Ohio) |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Athlete management & sports advisory | Licensed cannabis cultivation & retail |
| Key Figures | Rich Paul (Founder/CEO), LeBron James (First major client) | Leo Mintz (Store owner) |
| Origin | Founded in Cleveland (2012); now based in Beverly Hills | Based in Akron, Ohio |
| Core Claims | Trademark infringement, unfair competition, and counterfeiting | Request for declaratory judgment and cancellation of the sports agency’s trademarks |
Geographic Irony and Cultural Intersection
The case highlights a unique intersection of local culture and corporate branding. Klutch Cannabis is headquartered in Akron, Ohio—the hometown of LeBron James. Because elite athletes and entertainment celebrities increasingly back or fund legal marijuana operations, Klutch Sports claims the geographic overlap makes consumer confusion remarkably high. [1, 2, 5]
