Longtime Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce face a lawsuit alongside their business partners at Noble 33. Boston-based 1587 Sneakers accuses them of infringing on its trademark with the name of their Kansas City steakhouse, 1587 Prime, and its related apparel.
Lawsuit Details and Prior Use Claims
Filed in New York federal court, the suit claims 1587 Sneakers first used the four-digit number for shoe sales in 2023, nearly two years before 1587 Prime opened. Although the sneaker company filed a clothing trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office late last year—still under review—the steakhouse secured its trademark in the bar and restaurant category in December 2023.
The complaint dismisses the addition of “PRIME” as insignificant, stating: “Defendants’ added term ‘PRIME’ does nothing to distinguish the Accused Marks from Plaintiff in any legally meaningful way.”
1587 Sneakers draws inspiration from the year Asians first reached North America, targeting Asian American consumers. In contrast, 1587 Prime combines Mahomes’ jersey number 15 and Kelce’s 87.
Expert Skepticism and Consumer Confusion
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben IP questions the case’s strength. “I think it’s a tough case for the sneaker company,” Gerben told ESPN. “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?”
The lawsuit counters that consumer confusion already exists: “Scores of consumers have contacted Plaintiff with the mistaken belief that it is affiliated or endorsed the Defendants’ use of its senior mark.” It alleges irreparable harm from the similar name and seeks a name change, halt to 1587 apparel sales, and unspecified damages.
Restaurant Launch and Mixed Reviews
1587 Prime opened in Kansas City in September 2025 to mixed reception. Food critic Liz Cook described it as overpriced in a Defector review, noting thin or overcooked steaks arriving without knives, high costs—like $78 for the priciest cut, $15 for ketchup ramekins, and $22 for the Taylor Swift-inspired “Alchemy” cocktail—and lackluster local sourcing.
Despite criticisms, the venue draws crowds boosted by the Taylor Swift connection, with fans sharing social media posts of their visits hoping to spot Kelce’s fiancée. Cook praised the stylish interior, including a marble staircase and sharp server attire.
Additional Challenges for Noble 33
The steakhouse partners with Noble 33, which faces separate allegations from former chief legal officer Matthew Syken. In Nevada and California lawsuits, Syken claims Berman and Tanha, Noble 33 co-founders, fired him on opening night in retaliation for exposing a scheme to divert millions from a gift card program with inKind.
Syken alleges the funds, meant for Toca Madera restaurant credits, went into Berman and Tanha’s private accounts. He further claims threats to his legal license, withheld pay, and canceled insurance during his blood cancer treatment. Mahomes and Kelce face no accusations in this matter.
Noble 33 attorney Brian Timmons previously called the claims “ridiculous” and retaliatory.
Mahomes recovers from knee surgery during the offseason after the Chiefs missed the 2025 playoffs. Kelce, a free agent, eyes a Chiefs return amid salary cap pressures for 2026.
