The Shifting Landscape of Cheer Championships5 min to read

The Trademark Ruling: Implications for Cheerleading

For many years, the All-Star cheerleading community has operated under the assumption that there is only one legitimate “world” championship event, a belief strengthened by the ICU’s recognition by the IOC. The ICU World Championships have always been considered the only true world event due to this association. In contrast, other cheerleading events have had to rebrand, often using “cup” instead of “worlds” in their titles. This legal development could indicate a similar shift for All-Star cheerleading events.

The Role of USA Cheer and USASF

In recent years, USA Cheer has emerged as the official governing body for all facets of cheerleading in the United States. Meanwhile, USASF has evolved in its function and authority, continuing to support the All-Star community in various ways. The preliminary ruling on the trademark issue raises several critical questions:

• If USASF is a membership organization and not a federation, what does this mean for its role in hosting world championships?
• If the “world championships” are not legally recognized as the official and exclusive world championship, how does this affect event producers (EPs) worldwide who have struggled to secure bids due to their relationship (or lack thereof) with their national federation?
• The significance of federation relationships may be limited to the ICU Championship and official sport business.

The Global Impact and Future of Cheerleading

We have built an impressive sport for young people worldwide, yet there is still so much more to achieve. If this ruling remains unchallenged, it could have vast implications for the All-Star facet of our sport globally. The world championships are already diluted, and our best wins may be behind us. The landscape of our sport is changing, and it is crucial to consider what we want it to become.

Call to Action

It’s time for our voices to be heard. Speak with your sports leaders, reach out to your federation, and have conversations with your peers. As Margaret Mead famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Key Considerations

• The full impact of the ruling may not be known until the trial proceeds.
• Legal interpretations should be considered with a legal expert’s input.
• A domestic judge in Florida may not have the authority to make a decision impacting an international event and community.
• An appeal could change the outcome.

Transparency and truth are crucial. All stakeholders in cheer have the capacity to understand this information and deserve the opportunity to ask questions