Skip Bayless Hits Back at Caleb Williams Following Social Media Tussle Amid ‘Iceman’ Trademark Criticism

Skip Bayless wants Caleb Williams to quietly backout from trademarking the word "Iceman" because George Gervin has been addressed by that nickname since his playing days.

Skip Bayless Hits Back at Caleb Williams Following Social Media Tussle Amid ‘Iceman’ Trademark Criticism

Caleb Williams and Skip Bayless (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Skip Bayless criticized Caleb Williams for attempting to trademark the nickname "Iceman," claiming it belongs to NBA legend George Gervin.
  • Williams responded to Bayless, expressing that he found the term "steal" offensive and asserting his right to pursue the trademark.
  • The dispute has drawn attention as Gervin, who never trademarked the nickname, filed a claim after Williams' application, leaving the decision to the USPTO.

It’s never a dull moment when Skip Bayless attaches himself to something. After Caleb Williams filed an application to trademark the word “Iceman,” NBA legend George Gervin urged the Chicago Bears quarterback to back off, as he is the rightful owner of that specific title.

Bayless viewed Williams’ actions as an attempt to steal property that did not belong to him. Williams respectfully told Bayless to stay away from his business. Rather than honoring Williams’s advice, Bayless criticized the Heisman Trophy winner in a 20 minute video on X.

In the video captioned, “Caleb, I know you’re proud, and you’re stubborn sometimes to a fault, but you know, and I know that in this case you’re in the wrong,” Bayless attempted to reason with Williams. He offered Williams some leeway, suggesting that because Williams was born in the early 2000s, over 30 years after Gervin’s basketball dominance in San Antonio, he likely didn’t realize that the “Iceman” nickname was already claimed.

Bayless claimed he had never heard Williams being referred to as “Iceman” on television. Sure, the former ESPN and FOX Sports contributor admitted that while Williams’ teammates might call him by that name, it doesn’t give him the right to claim it as his own unique identity, especially since Gervin had already established it throughout the 1970s.

Bayless argued that if Williams had known about Gervin, he would have sought permission from the 74-year-old to carry on his legacy as the “Iceman” instead of “stealing” it by filing for a trademark application.

You wouldn’t [have] just said ‘I am going on your [expletive] George. And we are gonna file an application for a trademark… and we are gonna take this right under your nose legally. This is what I call legal theft, Caleb [Williams]… legal theft. Taking a property of another wrongfully, a nickname, an iconic nickname… You are trying to do it, the wrong right way.

Skip Bayless said

What is the feud between Caleb Williams and Skip Bayless about?

The feud began right after Williams’ representatives filed a trademark application for the word “Iceman.” Gervin, a nine-time NBA All-Star, announced that he is the rightful owner of that particular word, which he has used to sell apparel since his playing days.

Skip Bayless Hits Back at Caleb Williams Following Social Media Tussle Amid 'Iceman' Trademark Criticism
Caleb Williams (Image via IMAGO)

However, Gervin never trademarked the word, keeping the doors open for someone else to invade his domain. Over the years, several athletes in different sports have adopted the nickname “Iceman” for themselves. Williams turned out to be the first one to put in a request to trademark the word. A few days later, Gervin filed a claim and told Williams it rightfully belonged to him.

I’ve got nothing but respect for [Caleb Williams]. He’s already proved greatness, and his potential upside is great. Like an ‘Iceman.’ But that name is taken. … All I’m saying is: Young fella, we’ve already got one ‘Iceman’.

Gervin said in a statement to the Chicago Sun-Times

A short while later, Bayless tweeted,

I’m a Caleb Williams fan. But I was a much bigger Iceman Gervin fan, and I’m offended Caleb and Co. are trying to steal George’s all-time great nickname. I unleash on today’s Arena Gridiron 2:30 E.

Williams took issue with Bayless’s comment, particularly disliking the use of the word “steal” in context, as the former first overall draft pick.

“Words matter Skip Bayless. “Steal”…Enjoy that podcast,” Williams tweeted.

From Williams’ response, it seems he is not backing down without a fight. Gervin had over 40 years to trademark the word, but only acted after someone else made the first move. Now, it’s up to the USPTO to decide the outcome.

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