Report: Deion Sanders named in federal lawsuit, accused of ripping off designer of Coach Prime logos

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is reportedly facing a federal lawsuit accusing him of ripping off a designer in Nebraska. The designer Alan Tipp, per USA Today, filed suit against Sanders and his business agency MAC Entertainment in January of 2025 alleging he created brand logos for Sanders and was not compensated for his work. Sanders and SMAC Entertainment denied the allegations through their attorney, per court records. However, the case remains pending and Sanders was scheduled to give deposition testimony on July 31. $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage “Tipp’s lawsuit said he created the P21ME and TRUTH logos for Sanders in 2011, which incorporate his old 21 jersey number with his nickname as Prime Time and Coach Prime,” USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer wrote. “The P21ME logo later was used on Blenders sunglasses, Nike products and other gear after Sanders became head coach at Colorado in December 2022.” As far as the judgment is concerned, Tipp is reportedly seeking damages in excess of $75,000 due to allegedly not being compensated for his work. His complaint outlined the reasoning for taking Sanders to court. “Tipp has never been compensated, in any way, for his services by any of the Defendants or for Defendants’ use of the Works,” Tipp’s complaint says. “As a result of the direct and indirect use of the Works, the Defendants have received and continue to receive a substantial amount of revenue.” Deion Sanders named in lawsuit over Coach Prime logos Sanders began his Colorado tenure in 2023, leading the Buffaloes to superstardom, despite a 4-8 record that year. It’s fair to say his brand, his players’ brands, the Colorado brand and the football program as a whole reached new heights in 2024, winning nine games and nearly making the Big 12 Championship. But with a Hall of Famer like Sanders, doing business with him in terms of logo making and branding, it can be lucrative. “The complaint says Sanders and Sam Morini of SMAC Entertainment asked Tipp to sign a ‘work-for-hire agreement in which Tipp would relinquish his rights to the logos effective Aug. 1, 2011,” Schrotenboer wrote. “To induce him to sign it, Tipp’s complaint stated he was told he would be an integral part of the Sanders’ marketing team, including working to develop a marketing plan for sunglasses with the logos and working with Nike on Sanders’ branded gear.” Shortly after the agreement, per the report, Sanders and his reps allegedly began evading Tipp. Tipp alleged that was fraudulently induced into relinquishing his rights in the Works so Sanders and co. could continue to profit. On the field, Sanders claims he faces no pressure going into 2026, despite wanting to win and win big. The Buffaloes have had one winning season in three years under Coach Prime. They open the season at Georgia Tech on September 3rd.