Full Breakdown
Deion Sanders Confronts Two Lawsuits Amid Colorado Season Prep
8/22/2026, 11:04:03 AM
Dual Legal Challenges
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is defending against a federal copyright-infringement suit filed by Nebraska designer Alan Tipp and a subpoena to testify in his son Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy case. The logo dispute alleges that Sanders and his agency SMAC Entertainment failed to pay for the P21ME and TRUTH trademarks created in 2011, while the subpoena ties the coach to a separate $11.89 million judgment against his son.
Logo Lawsuit Details
Tipp’s complaint says he designed the two logos in 2011, entered a “work-for-hire” agreement that would relinquish his rights on Aug. 1, 2011, and was misled by false statements to sign it. He alleges “unauthorized transfers” of roughly $250 K in revenue from the logos, which have appeared on sunglasses, Nike products and other gear since Sanders became Colorado’s coach in Dec. 2022. Tipp seeks a judgment exceeding $75 000 and declaratory relief that the agreement is void. Sanders and SMAC Entertainment have denied the allegations through their attorney.
Subpoena and Season-Opening Schedule
In early August, a Boulder County deputy attempted to serve civil papers on Sanders during an open practice; university staff coordinated with Sanders’ counsel to receive the papers in Denver. Sanders’ lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, has filed a motion to quash the subpoena, arguing that the coach’s obligations to prepare the CU Buffaloes for their season-opening game on Sept. 1 preclude courtroom attendance. The case also schedules a deposition from Sanders on July 31, and Shilo’s bankruptcy trial is set to begin on Aug. 31.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sanders’ legal team says his coaching duties preclude attendance at the courtroom and that the subpoena service was improper.
- Carrie Haverfield, senior communications specialist for the sheriff’s office, explained that the paperwork was transferred to Denver after university staff and Sanders’ counsel arranged a more convenient service time.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Tipp has never been compensated, in any way, for his services by any of the Defendants or for Defendants’ use of the Works,” — Alan Tipp
- “While working with university staff to find a better time to complete the process, we heard from Mr. Sanders’ legal counsel who indicated that they were able to receive receipt of the papers on behalf of Mr. Sanders, however, they were not located in Boulder County, so we transferred the paperwork to Denver to be served,” — Carrie Haverfield
