MonteCristo surprised by XFL team’s similarity to Renegades brand

Christopher “MonteCristo” Mykles experienced an unexpected social media moment when a follower alerted him to the XFL’s newest football franchise. The Dallas Renegades had unveiled branding elements that bore remarkable resemblance to intellectual property he helped develop several years earlier in the esports space.

Multiple legal considerations immediately surfaced in this situation. Intellectual property attorney Sam Castree, while not directly involved in this specific case, provided expert analysis highlighting the distinction between trademark protection and copyright law frameworks.

The esports organization now known as Detroit Renegades originated in 2015 under the name Misfits. MonteCristo joined as co-owner in June 2015, contributing to brand development while maintaining his broadcasting career. Under his involvement, the organization fielded competitive rosters across multiple major titles including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, and Rocket League among others.

Ownership transitioned significantly in September 2016 when Boston Celtics power forward Jonas Jerebko acquired the organization. This ownership change becomes critically important when considering potential legal action, as Jerebko now controls the relevant intellectual property assets.

For gaming professionals building their own brands, understanding ownership transitions is crucial. Many esports organizations experience multiple ownership changes, creating complex chains of title that can complicate future intellectual property claims.

“Trademarks fundamentally exist to prevent marketplace confusion,” Castree explained. “When comparing Dallas Renegades versus LA Renegades, the naming similarity is objectively apparent from a trademark perspective.”

The attorney drew parallels to traditional sports, noting the coexistence of St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) and Arizona Cardinals (NFL). “Nobody expects the football Cardinals to suddenly begin playing baseball,” Castree observed, highlighting how industry context influences confusion analysis.

Regarding copyright claims specifically addressing the visual logos, Castree expressed skepticism about successful litigation. Copyright law requires demonstrated substantial similarity between the artistic works, which presents a higher legal threshold than trademark’s consumer confusion standard.

“Both logos depict a male figure from shoulders upward, oriented rightward, with headwear and facial coverings that conceal much of the face,” Castree detailed. “However, the visual similarities largely conclude at these general compositional elements.”

This legal distinction matters significantly for content creators. Trademark protection focuses on brand identification and source confusion, while copyright protects specific artistic expression. Understanding this difference can help gaming professionals make informed decisions about protecting their own creative assets and understanding when each type of protection applies.

The ultimate decision regarding potential litigation remains uncertain. As MonteCristo correctly noted on Twitter, any legal action would need initiation from Jerebko, who holds the relevant rights following the 2016 acquisition.

For gaming industry professionals and content creators, this situation underscores several critical considerations. First, maintaining clear documentation of brand development and ownership transitions proves essential for future protection.

Second, understanding the distinction between protecting brand names (trademark) versus protecting visual designs (copyright) can inform strategic decisions about intellectual property investments.

Third, the industry context significantly influences legal outcomes. The separation between traditional football and esports may reduce likelihood of consumer confusion, similar to how baseball and football Cardinals coexist.

Content creators developing their own gaming brands should conduct thorough trademark searches before finalizing names and logos. Additionally, maintaining comprehensive records of creation dates and ownership transfers can strengthen future legal positions if disputes arise.

For those building comprehensive gaming knowledge, our complete resource guide offers additional insights into industry best practices for protecting creative work in the dynamic esports landscape.

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