The legendary former New England Patriots coach is now the coach at the University of North Carolina. He's 73 years old. His girlfriend, Jordan Hudson, is 24.
That's not the fool/genius issue I'm discussing, although my guess is that you had an immediate reaction to that information. Hudson was born April 7, 2001. At that point, Belichick was 10 days from his 50th birthday, having established himself as a genius defensive coordinator for 11 seasons with the New York Giants. He was a year into his second NFL head coaching job–three, if you count that he was the New York Jets' coach for one day. He was about to realize he was a much better coach if he had Tom Brady on his team.
Yes, Tom Brady was in the NFL when Belichick's current girlfriend was born. So yeah, there's a significant age difference.
Again, that's not the issue. The question is whether Belichick and Hudson (who has the uncommon ability of knowing how to make headlines and money) are brilliant in their request to trademark a series of phrases.
Yes, trademarks. They've filed for 17 trademarks on phrases, so you can't use them for any commercial purpose without their approval (which would usually include some sort of compensation).
Many of the phrases have "(Bill's Version)" listed after the words, an apparent tip of the cap to Taylor Swift. Those without such an addendum include "Saving Miss Daisy," "Trail of Salty Tears" "Chapel Bill" (a play on Chapel Hill, the location of the University of North Carolina) and "The Belichick Way."
But the headline request is to trademark the phrase "gold digger," which seems like a bold attempt by Hudson to make people pay for calling her a name. Trademarking that phrase might also come as a surprise to many people (including Kanye West and Jamie Foxx, who had a hit song by that name, as well as anyone who, you know, actually dug for gold as a profession). I admire the self-awareness of Hudson to try to trademark that phrase, as well as the audacity to trademark a common phrase.
It makes me wonder if it's worthwhile for Stanhope Enterprises (a made-up company with a name for which I may seek trademark protection) to make a run at registering trademarks for other phrases. Before I consult with my longtime personal attorney, Atticus Finch, here are some phrases I'd like to trademark.
"Are you really going to wear that?" It's been used by concerned mothers and wives for generations as men head out to an event while wearing clothes they like. However, the rules would change. Say it? Pay me.
"Have you seen my glasses?" Another common phrase uttered by mature people who are actually wearing their glasses at that time. Once I get the trademark? Say it? Pay me.
"Please hold. Your call is important to us." I hate the phony politeness of a recording while I'm 30 minutes into waiting for what will inevitably be disappointing service. Perhaps by having to pay each time this is used, it will change things. Perhaps not, but say it? Pay me.
"It's a Brad, Brad, Brad, Brad World." No one has ever said this out loud, but if I trademark it, perhaps people will start. It's worth a try. Say it? Pay me.
Belichick and Hudson may be foolish, but if they are, they'll have company. If they're geniuses, I will be, too (if Finch agrees).
Because it's a Brad, Brad, Brad, Brad World. If you read that out loud, prepare to pay me.
Reach Brad Stanhope at bradstanhope@outlook.com.
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