Palmer loses bid to trademark 'Cold Palmer' as Chateau Palmer blocks venture

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has lost a legal bid to trademark the nickname “Cold Palmer” and the related “ice cold” celebration after Château Palmer in Bordeaux opposed the application. The Margaux estate argued the mark could damage its premium image and brand integrity. The ruling blocks Palmer’s attempt to register the name for a wide range of goods, from clothing to dietary drinks and alcohol, highlighting how off-field branding can become a legal battleground for top players.

Palmer had sought to use the mark to launch a diverse portfolio of products beyond football, including clothes, foods, toys, toiletries, razor blades, diet drinks and alcohol. Château Palmer, which has long sold wine in the Margaux region with bottles that can fetch significant sums—up to £750 per bottle—contended that allowing the name could confuse consumers and threaten the estate’s image. After the proceedings, Palmer’s legal team amended its Intellectual Property Office filings to reflect the rejection, according to reports.

The dispute traces to Palmer’s on-field celebrations and a broader branding strategy. The “Cold Palmer” celebration first emerged in December 2023, when he scored in a 3-2 victory at Luton. He later explained that the idea wasn’t purely his own; he said fellow City academy graduate Morgan Rogers had celebrated in a similar way for Middlesbrough against West Brom the previous week, and Palmer decided to make it his own signature gesture.

Beyond the trademark case, Palmer has faced fitness concerns. He remains managed by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who said the medical staff had not indicated any need for surgery on Palmer’s groin issue. Palmer was forced off during Chelsea’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Manchester United, and Maresca described the aid he provided to teammates as “huge,” while noting the issue will be assessed day by day, week by week, to determine the best course of action. Maresca added that the team would decide on further treatment based on the patient’s progress and how he responds in the coming days.

The 23-year-old England international’s off-field trademark bid comes as he continues to navigate both club and national-team duties, alongside ongoing evaluation of his fitness. The court-ordered blocking of the trademark underscores the complexities athletes face when expanding personal brands into industries such as apparel, consumer goods and alcohol, especially when established luxury brands have built strong associations with related names.

The outcome represents a notable setback for Palmer’s branding ambitions but does not change his prominent role with Chelsea or his standing with the England setup. The legal decision clarifies that, at least for now, the name “Cold Palmer” cannot be registered for a broad product category, underscoring the risk of brand confusion with a storied wine label from one of France’s most celebrated wine regions.

For Chelsea and its supporters, the immediate focus remains on Palmer’s fitness and potential return to action. With Maresca signaling a cautious but hopeful outlook on the groin issue, the club will monitor internal assessments to determine if a long-term recovery plan is required. As the season progresses, observers will watch how the forward balances his on-field duties with the continuing evolution of his off-field branding ambitions.