Creator of the Jets logo is suing the team and the NFL

The New York Jets are being sued by a former team employee who claims they’re using a logo that he created when he worked for them back in the 1970s.

According to TMZ Sports , Jim Pons, who used to work as the team’s film and video director, is alleging that he designed New York’s white “JETS” logo that features a jet above the lettering, which was used as its primary logo from 1978 until 1997.

Pons claims that he owns the logo, which he says was created outside of his job with the team. He’s suing for unspecified damages as well as dissolution of the Jets’ trademark of the logo and a provision that states they can’t use the logo without his consent or without compensating him.

“The mark in question has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for nearly 50 years,” the Jets said in a statement to the New York Post. “The mark has been used continuously in numerous iterations since that time. We find this claim baseless and without merit.”

New York had used white “JETS” bold lettering with a white football centered between the “E” and “T” as its primary logo up until the 2023 season.

The Jets used Pons’ throwback logo design last year, and the team announced in April it would be wearing the jerseys again as part of its “Legacy Collection” next season.

Pons, 81, was even interviewed by the Jets as part of the announcement as the original creator of the design, but he now believes he should be compensated as the rightful owner of the design.