Chandler Bats hits rival with trademark lawsuit 

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Chandler Bats trademark lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Former MLB player Yoenis Céspedes entities La Potencia LLC and YC52 LLC filed a lawsuit against David Chandler and Group Authentic. 
• Why: La Potencia and YC52 claim Chandler is violating a loan agreement he signed by allegedly using the same methods as Chandler Bats — now owned by Céspedes — to design and sell wooden bats under the name “Authentic by David Chandler.”  
• Where: The lawsuit was filed in Florida federal court. 
• What are my options: Shop for baseball equipment and apparel with Wilson Sporting Goods.

A bat company owned by former MLB player Yoenis Céspedes has asked a federal judge in Florida to prevent a rival bat maker who initially founded the company from being able to use their trademarks and trade secrets. 

Céspedes, through his entities La Potencia LLC and YC52 LLC, was transferred ownership of Chandler Bats following a bankruptcy in 2019, after the former MLB player had loaned money to the RxSport, reports Law360. 

The original founder of Chandler Bats, David Chandler, is now making bats through a company called Group Authentic, leading to allegations he has gone back on an agreement to keep the manufacturing methods confidential. 

Chandler Bats is now asking that Group Authentic be permanently enjoined from being able to use the Chandler name on their bats, arguing that the trademark to do so stayed with Chandler Bats when it was transferred to Céspedes, reports Law360. 

Chandler Bats transferred to Céspedes entities after RxSport filed for bankruptcy protection, says suit

La Potencia and YC52 filed a lawsuit against Chandler last year, reportedly accusing him of trademark infringement, trade secret theft, and breach of contract. 

The entities argue Chandler signed a loan agreement when receiving a $700,000 loan from Céspedes for his company RxSport in 2017, and that La Potencia acquired all assets of the company after it filed for bankruptcy protection, reports Law360. 

Céspedes reportedly created YC52 specifically to operate the baseball bat business, with La Potencia owning the trademarks for Chandler Bats and licensing them to YC52. 

The loan agreement reportedly came with a confidentiality provision that made it “crystal clear” that methods and procedures were defined as some of the confidential information that could not be disclosed. 

The Céspedes entities argue Chandler is violating the agreement, however, by allegedly using the same methods used by Chandler Bats to design and sell wooden bats under the name “Authentic by David Chandler,” reports Law360. 

In another case related to baseball bats, a California federal judge ruled in January 2021 that insurers for Rawlings Sporting Goods could not get out of paying damages following claims the company sold children’s baseball bats that were heavier than advertised. 

Do you believe Chandler Bats had its trademarks infringed by its original founder? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiffs are represented by Joshua D. Martin and Perry S. Clegg of Johnson & Martin PA.

The Chandler Bats trademark lawsuit is La Potencia LLC, et al. v. Chandler, et al., Case No. 9:22-cv-80417, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

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