The Mexican National Fútbol Team can no longer use the ‘El Tri’ nickname, at least not commercially.
Alex Lora, the vocalist from the iconic Mexican rock band El Tri has successfully defended his use of the name in court, proving that he was the first one to register it. The legal victory means Lora is the only one who can use the name commercially and artistically.
The Mexican Fútbol Federation had attempted to use the name, a relatively common nickname for the Mexican National Team, and tried to defend their right to it in court. The new resolution, however, prohibits any unauthorized use of ‘El Tri’ in connection with the team. If the Mexican Fútbol Federation wants to use the name going forward, they will have to pay Lora royalties for every use.
Lora’s band, El Tri, was founded in 1968 and has maintained a constant presence in Mexican music culture since then. And yet many people outside the realm of music, and certainly outside of Mexico, have only heard the nickname in reference to the Mexican Fútbol Team. Not anymore.
Social media mostly found a way to have some fun in light of the resolution, with some commenting on the fact that Lora would definitely not be giving the Federation permission to use the name and others saying that “Hasta este señor le gana a la seleccion, jajaja,” and “Hasta en las demandas pierden,” using Lora to make fun of the team’s recent woes.
The Mexican National Fútbol Team is El Tri no longer. Now the question is, what other nickname will they be known for?