KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A boutique sneaker company just dragged Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce into federal court. The charge? Trademark infringement. The New York-based apparel brand “1587 Sneakers” officially filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against the Kansas City Chiefs stars and their hospitality partner, Noble 33. The legal battle centers entirely on the branding of their high-end steakhouse: 1587 Prime.
1587 Sneakers claims they built their brand first. The Asian American-owned footwear company launched in April 2023 and pitched their business to millions on national television. They allege the celebrity-owned steakhouse—which opened its doors in late 2025—illegally profits off the “1587” name.
The overlap lies in the merchandise. 1587 Prime does not just serve $195 porterhouses and $16 mashed potatoes; the restaurant heavily markets branded apparel. The sneaker company argues this direct product overlap creates intense consumer confusion. According to the court filing, customers frequently contact the shoe brand asking if they are partnered with Mahomes and Kelce.
The timeline sets up a brutal legal fight. 1587 Sneakers operated for nearly two and a half years before filing a federal trademark application in October 2025. Mahomes, Kelce, and Noble 33 applied for the “1587 Prime” mark much earlier, in December 2023.
“Trademarks can coexist in different industries. Given that the marks are essentially identical here, is a restaurant and a shoe company too close? Are consumers likely to be confused in thinking they are affiliated with one another?”
— Josh Gerben, Trademark Attorney (via ESPN)
This lawsuit piles onto a historically heavy offseason for Kansas City. You could feel the frustration mounting in the stadium all year. After a shocking 6-11 finish in the 2025 season, missing the playoffs for the first time in the Mahomes era, the franchise desperately needs a reset. Instead, its two biggest stars face a high-profile legal distraction.
Federal court will now decide if the addition of “Prime” sufficiently distinguishes the restaurant’s apparel from the sneaker brand. These high-stakes corporate disputes frequently end in a quiet settlement or coexistence agreement. Until then, the legal team for 1587 Sneakers demands the restaurant stop using the name on all merchandise and pay unspecified damages. The Southern District of New York will soon determine just how far a numeric trademark stretches.
