Front page article in today’s Wall Street Journal on rivalry licensing, the practice by which Universities allow their sports team mascots to be seen defeated in some way by mascots of rival Universities (for a fee). Depicted here, the Auburn Tiger strangling the Alabama elephant and vice versa. One argument for allowing the practice is that if they don’t allow the rivalry merchandise, the fans will buy unlicensed (and more graphic) rivalry merchandise.
Question for discussion: consider various rationales for prohibiting tarnishment, such as those discussed in the John Deere case. Now consider this practice.
More on tarnishment here. Your favorite team defeating its rival courtesy of The Memory Company (makers of the figurines above) here.