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The Chiefs have the chance to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls when they face off against the Eagles in New Orleans on February 9th. However, the team will have to go through NBA legend Pat Riley if it wants to take advantage of the “three-peat” label in the wake of a potential victory.
As things currently stand, only three members of North America’s “Big Four” sports leagues have managed to secure three titles in a row.
The Bulls became the first with the trio of wins they racked up between 1996 and 1998, the Yankees firmed up the dynasty that began with their World Series win in 1996 by going back-to-back-to-back starting the same year Chicago capped off its three-peat, and the Lakers did the same by going on an absolute heater to kick off the new millennium.
Phil Jackson was the head coach of both of the NBA teams that have pulled off a three-peat, but there’s another skipper who’s really reaped the benefits thanks to a shrewd decision he made while he was patrolling the sidelines for the Lakers: Pat Riley.
Riley won four of the five championships he amassed as a head coach during his time with the Lakers, and in 1989, Los Angeles had the chance to pull off the first-ever three-peat in an NBA Finals rematch with the Pistons. Unfortunately, they were swept by Detroit after doing the same to every team they’d face off against to earn the right to play for the title in the first place.
As NPR notes, Riley had preemptively decided to file a trademark for “three-peat” (and variations including “threepeat” and “3 Peat”) prior to the series, which turned out to be a pretty sage decision when you consider anyone who wants to use the phrase on apparel and other merchandise needs to pay him an unspecified licensing fee for things to remain above board.
An intellectual property expert who spoke with the outlet said Riley could likely “make millions of dollars” if the Chiefs decide they want to harness the “three-peat” moniker if they’re able to become the first NFL team to pull one off (ESPN previously reported Riley made $300,000 thanks to the Bulls, and he also landed deals after the Yankees and Lakers won; he said he’s given “most” of the money he’s made off of the trademark to charity).
Must be nice.