Cavaliers File For Cavalanche Trademark After Clinching Playoff Berth

The Cleveland Cavaliers have filed to trademark “Cavalanche,” a move that came on the same day they became the first team to secure a playoff spot this season. The Cavs submitted the paperwork Wednesday, right after beating the Miami Heat 112-107 at home.

The trademark application has been accepted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office but hasn’t been assigned to an examiner yet. According to the filing, the team plans to use “Cavalanche” on clothing items ahead of next year’s playoffs.

The phrase has become a fan favorite during Cleveland’s impressive season.

They’ve already hit 50 wins for the first time since 2022-23.

The trademark move has stirred up some controversy, especially among University of Virginia fans. UVA’s men’s basketball team—also called the Cavaliers—actually popularized “Cavalanche” back in the early 2010s.

So why doesn’t UVA own the trademark?

Simple: they never filed for it. According to trademark attorney Josh Gerben, trademarks work on a “use it or lose it” basis. Since UVA never officially applied, anyone can use the term freely.

This means that even though the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t create “Cavalanche,” they could soon own exclusive rights to use it for their team.

The timing couldn’t be better for Cleveland. They’ve been clutch this season—literally. The Cavs have the NBA’s best record in close games, going an impressive 20-6 when the pressure’s on.

They’re chasing their first NBA championship since 2016, and trying to make history as the first Cleveland title without LeBron James.

For UVA fans, this might be a tough pill to swallow. But in today’s sports business world, trademark registrations have become essential for protecting team phrases and slogans.

The Cavaliers’ front office clearly isn’t just focused on winning games—they’re building a brand that could carry them through what they hope will be a deep playoff run.