LSU is investigating whether the family of star running back Leonard Fournette violated NCAA rules by creating a website and merchandise featuring a catchphrase started by the family.
A manager for the family paid $10,000 to have a website built and merchandise produced revolving around the “BUGA Nation” catchphrase popularized by the Fournettes, according to USA Today.
BUGA is an acronym that stands for “Being United Generates Attitude.” Fournette’s parents came up with it and received a trademark for it in Dec. 2013, before Fournette ever played for the Tigers. They began chanting and popularizing the term when Fournette was in high school and received publicity for it when he announced his decision to attend LSU.
“It’s about togetherness, the togetherness of people,” Fournette said of BUGA Nation to NOLA.com. Getting “everybody together. It’s about bringing a positive attitude to the table,” urging “everybody to get together. It’s about happiness. That’s the way I put it.”
According to USA Today’s report, the website launched in 2014, the week of LSU’s season opener. However, sales of merchandise were stopped within 24 hours.
NCAA rules prohibit athletes or their family members from profiting off the athlete’s name, image or likeness. The family reportedly made sure that the site and merchandise did not feature Fournette’s name or image.
