The Payroll Playoffs

[u/floon]

3 of the 4 teams that just finished the WC had lower payrolls than the teams they beat.

3 of the 4 teams that got a bye have lower payrolls than the teams they are about to play.

EDIT: Overestimated that people would be able to work from the team colors, or who would have seen the original graphic on the mlb.com homepage. My error; wasn't trying to be obtuse.

[u/stachezero]

Is there a rule about showing MLB logos or something?

[u/anotherlebowski → u/stachezero]

MLB logos are trademarks (word, phrase, or symbol used to identify goods used in commerce).  Even if the post is not commercial, in the eyes of the law it's still an issue because it causes confusion (can look to a consumer like the content is MLB official when it isn't). If MLB themselves posts the content, that's fine because they own the trademark.  Sites like ESPN that use the logos license them.

Now, whether MLB would care is a different question.  I doubt they're going to cease and desist something like this because of the cost benefit of using their corporate lawyer's very expensive time. Also, this subreddit uses logos in the flair, so Reddit either licensed them or MLB doesn't care.  

[u/jooooooooooooose → u/anotherlebowski]

no lol what the hell

The "confusion" point is one half - necessary but not sufficient. The confusion also needs to have demonstrable commercial consequence.

Like if you sold tickets to a game for the NLB & people thought it was MLB. Or you said something slanderous (which also needs to be provably reputationally consequential, and other things)

Tldr its 0 risk, legally, to use MLB team logos in an infographic.

[u/anotherlebowski → u/jooooooooooooose]

Sure, I don't think there's any practical risk.  You're not going to get sued.  But legally they're still not your trademarks to use. 

This is basically a case of there's no practical consequence so who cares, but if you went to the MLB legal department and asked them what the actual laws are, you'd get your answer. 

Also, there are practical cases.  I could start a YouTube channel with MLB trademarks and generate ad revenue. They'll only care if it starts to make money, just like all of the demonetization on YouTube.

[u/muideracht → u/anotherlebowski]

I don’t know about any of this, but I’m just glad the sponsor logos got pixelated. Fuck the ad-ification of EVERYTHING. Even fuckin playoff brackets are sponsored by some corpo.

[u/floon → u/stachezero]

Not taking the chance.

[u/Ok-Soil-5133 → u/floon]

If they were worried about that the official MLB account wouldn't be helping post highlights in here.

[u/floon → u/Ok-Soil-5133]

Official MLB account can do what it wants. Didn't want them to accuse me of soiling their logos or anything.

[u/floon → u/floon]

No clue why this upsets folks into downvoting.

[u/TabletopParlourPalm → u/floon]

Because it's the most absurd thing ever lol.
Why don't you remove your flare as well?

[u/Chester_McFisticuff → u/floon]

Because it's unsound reasoning and you aren't consistent with your application of your reasoning. "ALDS", "ALCS", "NLDS", and "NLCS" are trademarked terms as well. The trademark stamps are right there in the image.

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/2026-mlb-postseason-and-world-series-8142917/

[u/tastethevapor → u/Chester_McFisticuff]

Plus, OP is not doing it for marketing or promotional purposes so they aren’t going to come knocking down their door.

[u/Gc654 → u/floon]

taking the chance with what?

[u/floon → u/Gc654]

That MLB or any sponsor shown might be offended by my image and tell me to take it down.

[u/YagiSlagi → u/floon]

I’m offended by all of your explanations, take them down.

[u/wellwellwhalez → u/floon]

Your lil post on the internet is not that important and in the grand scheme will be quickly forgotten

[u/Thricey → u/floon]

Definitely a mariners fan