The corporate entity behind the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders has launched a legal battle against the rock band My Chemical Romance and concert promoter Live Nation, alleging that the group’s use of “look-alike” uniforms during a recent Los Angeles performance constitutes trademark infringement and brand degradation.
Pro Silver Star Ltd., which manages the cheerleading brand, filed the lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction to prevent the band from utilizing the iconic blue-and-white costumes in future shows. The dispute centers on an Oct. 21 concert at the Hollywood Bowl, where backup dancers appeared on stage during the performance of the band’s hit song “Teenagers.”
According to court documents, the dancers initially performed routines reminiscent of cheerleading choreography while wearing costumes that closely mirrored the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ (DCC) signature look. However, the performance took a dramatic turn when the dancers retrieved prop rifles and participated in what was described as a staged firefight on stage. Videos and legal filings detail the transition from standard choreography to the simulated combat sequence.
Attorneys for Pro Silver Star argue that the use of the uniforms in such a context is harmful to the DCC brand. The lawsuit alleges that the performance not only degraded the team’s reputation but also created genuine confusion among the public. The filing points to social media reactions and audience observations where individuals allegedly mistakenly believed that official members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were participating in the rock concert.
“Silver Star takes no issue with MCR’s music, its artistic ambitions, or any message Defendants seek to convey,” the lawsuit states, using an acronym for the band. “Silver Star asks only that those performers not wear the DCC Uniform while doing it.”
The legal filing indicates that this was not the first attempt by the brand owners to address the matter. Pro Silver Star reportedly issued a cease-and-desist letter to My Chemical Romance prior to the filing, but the band allegedly declined to remove the costumes from the production or stop their use.
The litigation arrives at a complex time for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization. The group recently announced it has successfully unionized and is currently preparing for collective bargaining negotiations. These talks are expected to focus on issues including pay scales and general working conditions for the squad members.
As of the time of filing, neither My Chemical Romance nor Live Nation has issued a public response to the allegations. The request for a restraining order remains pending as the court considers whether the use of the look-alike uniforms constitutes a violation of Pro Silver Star’s intellectual property rights or a risk of irreparable harm to the cheerleading brand’s public image.
