Formerly known as the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Guardians are a professional baseball team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians are a member of the American League’s Central Division.
They’ve played in Progressive Field since 1994. The team was established as a Major League franchise in 1901 and has won 10 division titles, six AL Pennants, and two World Series championships (1920 and 1948). The team’s World Series drought is the longest active among all Major League teams. From 1960 to 1993, the Indians managed one third-place finish (in 1968) and six fourth-place finishes (in 1960, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1990, and 1992) but spent the rest of the time at or near the bottom of the standings.
From August 24 to September 14, 2017, the team enjoyed the longest winning streak in American League history, with 22 consecutive wins. It was also the second-longest streak in Major League Baseball history.
The team’s present name references the Art Deco sculptures by Henry Hering at the Hope Memorial Bridge, created in 1932 next to Progressive Field.
The team’s mascot is Slider, a fuzzy pink mascot, and the baseball team train at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona.
The Guardians are one of the oldest teams, beginning in 1894 as the Grand Rapids Rippers, a minor league team from Grand Rapids, Michigan. They started in the Western League. The team relocated six years after and became the Cleveland Lake Shores following a name change. When the American League became the Major League in 1901, Cleveland was one of the first franchises.
The team unofficially became known as the Cleveland Bronchos, and in 1903 the group went by the Cleveland Napoleons or Naps, after captain Nap Lajoie.
After Lajoie’s departure in 1914, the club owner requested that baseball writers rename the team. They chose the Cleveland Indians, a nod to the nickname the Cleveland Spiders had while Louis Sockalexis (a native American) played for the team. Around this time, the fanbase became known as the ‘tribe.’
They’d continue using the name for over a century but came under fire from the Native American Community. In January 2018, the MLB announced that Chief Wahoo would be retired from the Indian’s uniforms as of 2019, stating it was inappropriate for use. The ‘C’ was promoted as the primary logo after that.
In 2021, they played as the Indians for the last time, renaming themselves the Guardians in time for the 2022 season.
Famous Cleveland Guardians trademarks
The Cleveland Guardians have recently had a complete revamp, with a new name and several new trademark applications. Many of their previous trademark registrations, such as the Chief Wahoo logo, are no longer in use.
Its intellectual property must be protected with a net worth of more than 100 million. Let’s look at the trademarks owned by the Cleveland Guardians, registered under Cleveland Indians Baseball Company, LLC.
G logo
The ‘G’ logo consists of a baseball surrounded by wings that form a stylized ‘G’. The trademark filing was submitted in 2021 and, if approved, is expected to apply in the following categories:
- Clothing including footwear, jerseys, underwear, sleepwear, undergarments, headbands, wristbands, and Halloween and fancy dress costumes
- Educational purposes, including providing training related to sporting and cultural activities
- Baseball games and exhibitions, including organizing and conducting various athletic events rendered live
- Sweepstakes and conducting contests
- Podcasts and websites including providing news and information related to sports news
- Stadium rental facilities and services
C logo
The basic ‘C’ mark drawing, consisting of a stylized C, is part of several logos and crucial merchandise belonging to this sports team. The application was submitted in 2021 for use in the following categories:
- Scientific research and electrical and scientific apparatus, including audio speakers, headphones, earbuds, and pre-recorded DVDs
- Jewelry made of precious and semi-precious stones and metals
- Keychains and accessories
- Paper and cardboard printed matter, including stationery, plastic sheets, drawing materials, and more
- Tattoo transfers (temporary)
- Golf bags, balls, and accessories
- Bumper stickers and scorecards
- Printed baseball game programs, magazines, and books related to baseball and baseball teams
- Clothing, footwear, headwear, jerseys, headbands, wristbands,
- Games including video games, soft toys, chess sets, dolls, and related accessories
- Pet toys
- Fidget spinners and sensory toys
- Mini baseball replicas, including autographed baseballs, mini batting helmet replicas, and more
- Christmas trees, accessories, and decorations
- Educational services including entertainment, sporting, cultural activities, and baseball events
- Podcasts and websites
- Live performances by costumed mascots, cheerleaders, and dance groups
Related: Our guide to trademarking a logo
Cleveland Guardians
Like many MLB teams, the Cleveland Guardians have trademarked their team name. The team name ‘Cleveland Guardians’ was registered with the USPTO in 2021; if the trademark is approved, it’ll apply in the following categories:
- Scientific research and electrical and scientific apparatus, including audio speakers, headphones, earbuds, and pre-recorded DVD
- Printed baseball game programs, magazines, and books related to baseball and baseball teams
- Safety equipment such as protective clothing, helmets, and underwater breathing apparatus
- Video game consoles
- Educational services including entertainment, sporting, cultural activities, and baseball events
- Podcasts and websites which provide information on the sports industry
- Live performances by costumed mascots, cheerleaders, and dance groups
- Clothing, footwear, headwear, jerseys, headbands, wristbands,
- Games including video games, soft toys, board games, chess sets, dolls, and related accessories
- Pet toys
- Video, sound, text, and multimedia files related to baseball
- Checkbook covers and credit card holders
- Portable computers, tablet computers, mobile phones, and their accessories, including cellphone cases, blank USB flash drives, etc.
- Software and apps related to sports news/information
- Fidget spinners and sensory toys
- Christmas trees, accessories, and decorations
- Sweepstakes and contests
- Jewelry made of precious and semi-precious stones and metals
- Community sporting and cultural events
- Keychains and accessories
- Paper and cardboard printed matter, including stationery, plastic sheets, drawing materials, and more
- Temporary tattoo transfers
- Baseball bats, bases, and balls
- Bumper stickers and scorecards
Guardians logo
The Guardian’s word logo consists of the word ‘Guardians’ in a stylized font; the trademark application for this was submitted in 2021 for use in:
- Clothing, including T-shirts, pants, jerseys, headbands, wristbands, and footwear
- Educational services, including sporting and cultural activities such as baseball games
- Entertainment services, including live baseball exhibitions, and performances by a mascot or cheerleading team
- Live music concerts; fan clubs; providing sports facilities; rental of stadium facilities; conducting guided tours of a baseball stadium
Cleveland logo
The Cleveland logo consists of a stylized block font saying ‘Cleveland’ and is used in many of the group’s core marketing. The application trademark was registered in 2021 in the following categories:
- Clothing including footwear, headwear, swimwear, sleepwear, and fancy dress costumes
- Education including the provision of training related to sports and cultural activities
- Baseball games and exhibitions, including the organization of baseball games
- Media production services
- Radio programs related to sports
- Podcasts and webcasts related to sports
- Live music concerts and performances by a dance group, cheerleaders, or mascot
- Guided backstage tours of stadium facilities, including baseball stadiums
Wrapping up
The Cleveland Guardians have enjoyed over 100 years of history as a Cleveland baseball club, with their most famous incarnation being the Cleveland Indians. While this name was changed due to various controversies, they still have a solid fanbase and have kept their net worth above 100 million. Since they’re relatively new, they only have trademark rights to around ten different trademarks, but this number may grow more.
