Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza has filed trademark paperwork for his nickname, The Nandolorian, which is derived from The Mandalorian from Star Wars.
“You’re gonna have to call me The Nandolorian”
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza is attempting to trademark his new nickname: “The Nandolorian,” a moniker clearly inspired by the Disney+ Star Wars series, The Mandalorian.
Mendoza, the Raiders’ rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, filed a trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on June 8. The filing could, however, present a legal conflict depending on Mendoza’s intended use of the trademark, pending any challenge from Disney’s legal team as the owners of The Mandalorian trademark.
The “Nandolorian” nickname first grew out of Mendoza’s public love of Star Wars. The rookie quarterback embraced the nickname in an X post last month featuring himself and Raiders teammate Kirk Cousins as part of a skit that parodied the 2008 comedy Step Brothers.
A few days after this post, Mendoza appeared to receive a custom jersey “from Star Wars” as reported by @RaidersLead on X.
The video shows Mendoza receiving a custom football jersey reading “THE NANDOLORIAN” on the back and a portrait of the titular Mandalorian, Din Djarin’s helmet on the front.
If accurate, the gifted jersey suggests Disney and/or Lucasfilm is at least aware of the nickname and may have already implicitly endorsed it, at least as a fun promotional nod during the marketing campaign for The Mandalorian and Grogu, which included other crossover appearances in the sports world.
That does not mean the company has approved Mendoza using the name as a commercial clothing brand, as the trademark filing suggests. A playful nickname or even a custom gift from Star Wars is one thing. A registered product line is another.
As of earlier this year, Disney attained full control of the NFL Network via ESPN, adding another layer of legal complexity to the mix.
At this time, Disney and Lucasfilm have not publicly commented on the trademark application. Mendoza’s filing remains pending.
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