Rapinoe threatens The Rock with legal action over XFL rebrand
United States women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe threatened Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with a cease and desist order this week after the XFL unveiled its new branding.
Rapinoe called out the XFL co-owner in a tweet Thursday, pointing out the similarities between the league's rebrand and Togethxr, a media company co-founded by her fiancee, Seattle Storm point guard Sue Bird.
Welp. This is awkward. Only thing @TheRock and @XFL2023 are gonna be cookin up is a response to the Cease and Desist and an ENTIRE new brand ID. @togethxr got this on 🔒 boys. pic.twitter.com/klItJO2fJ5
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) April 8, 2022
Bird, who launched Togethxr in 2021 with USWNT forward Alex Morgan, Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim, and Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel, also commented on the rebrand.
Well doesn’t this looks familiar 🧐🥸@XFL2023 @togethxr @TheRock pic.twitter.com/MDv77qypYE
— Sue Bird (@S10Bird) April 7, 2022
Togethxr announced Friday that it has "issued a legal notice" to the XFL.
Too often the work & creativity of women is overlooked & undervalued.
— TOGETHXR (@togethxr) April 8, 2022
Diversity & equality are the norm around here. We’re thrilled to see the XFL embrace inclusivity but this rebrand ain’t it. We’ve issued a legal notice & will continue to protect the important work we’re doing pic.twitter.com/QoNAfx4FbK
The XFL originally ran for one season in 2001 before being revived in 2020 by WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. The league suspended operations midway through the 2020 season due to COVID-19 and subsequently filed for bankruptcy.
Johnson, his ex-wife and business partner Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners purchased the XFL in August 2020 for $15 million. The league is set to return in 2023.