Lamar Jackson vs Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson Weigh In on the Number 8 Trademark Battle

The sports world saw an unexpected battle after Lamar Jackson filed a claim that Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s ‘8’, used for his motorsport company, was too similar to Jackson’s ‘ERA 8’ brand. It has now become a legal dispute.

This isn’t the first time Lamar has been caught up in a trademark dispute over the number 8. Troy Aikman also has a beer company named ‘EIGHT’. Lamar filed a trademark dispute against it in July 2024. That matter is still pending, as trademark disputes can take up to a year, or more, to resolve.

Dale Jr., however, has waved the white flag. On Saturday, he revealed that he is changing the ‘8’ logo to a stylized version so that it doesn’t intrude on Lamar’s brand. It might not be the resolution the NFL quarterback hoped for, but it’s a legal one he’ll have to accept. Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson scoffed at the trademark battle while giving their take on Nightcap.

“Listen, man, Dale Jr., we’re talking about an icon. An icon in the racing world,” Johnson said, likely suggesting how foolish this dispute is in the first place.

Dale Jr. is a legend in NASCAR with his accomplishments, family legacy, and popularity within the sport. His father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., is arguably the greatest driver the sport has witnessed. He died in a tragic crash during a race in 2001, adding a tragic, but fabled chapter to his racing lore.

Dale Jr., a third-generation driver in his family, has been racing since 2000 and has donned the number eight for his entire career. You would think he should have more rights to the number than a young buck like Lamar. 

Sharpe hinted at this point while taking the discussion to a different angle. He pointed out that there’s only ever been one number in the sports world truly synonymous with a player’s name. He was talking about the GOAT, Michael Jordan.

“When it comes to a number, the only number that’s synonymous is 23,” Sharpe said. “That’s really the only number. Look, I understand they retired Magic [Johnson] as 33 in college, but Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] had 33, so he slid to 32 [in the NBA]. And boom.”

Sharpe also pointed out that other popular athletes like Shaquille O’Neal have changed their numbers in their careers. This is all to say that we don’t think of players associated with numbers like Jordan and 23. And Lamar hasn’t accomplished nearly enough in his career yet to be viewed alongside a number.

Ravens Flock Word on the street is the Lamar & Earnhardt Jr. battle is pretty much over @ShannonSharpe @ShayShayMedia_ @ochocinco pic.twitter.com/Uv3Z7Vad8n

— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) April 5, 2025

However, Johnson reminded Sharpe who he was talking to — Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, a guy whose name is literally tied to a number.

“Certain players, Unc, like when you see their number, a certain player resonates with that number. Regardless of what team and regardless of the color of a jersey. I ain’t trying to toot my own horn, but when you see 85, you know for the most part, I think it resonates,” said Johnson. 

Chad legally changed his name to ‘Ochocinco’ in 2008, which is Spanish for 85. He later reverted to Johnson in 2012. It’s a great example of a player’s name resonating with a number — and it was hilarious that Sharpe didn’t acknowledge it during the conversation. Instead, Unc cut off his co-host. 

“I think of Isaac Curtis,” Sharpe joked. “Stop lying, man,” Johnson retorted, who sported No.5 throughout his college and NFL career.

As things stand, Lamar hasn’t spoken on either trademark claim that he filed. He stated that he wants to keep business off the football field, which is smart. But this seems a little too cocky to be claiming a number when he’s only been in the NFL for eight seasons.