As doubtful as it may seem with the San Jose Sharks down 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final, should the Sharks and Golden State Warriors both claim championships this month, an unlikely source stands to profit.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban holds the trademark for the "City of Champions" moniker that cities often use on memorabilia following successful periods of multiple titles across various sports.
History isn't on Cuban's side, however, as markets that have had teams in both the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final in the same year - the Warriors and Sharks, representing the Bay Area of California, are the ninth such example - have yet to pull off the double.
Citing an online record from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, ESPN's Darren Rovell and Mark Stein report that Cuban intends to use the "City of Champions" phrase on products like T-shirts, hats, and pajamas. The trademark was transferred to the "Shark Tank" billionaire after originally being registered by an insurance agent in 2010.
"'If the Mavs don't win, at least there is always a chance for a win in there somewhere for me," Cuban told ESPN.com.
The "City of Champions" designation was famously tied to Cuban's hometown of Pittsburgh during the mid-to-late 1970s, when the Steelers, Pirates, and University of Pittsburgh football team each enjoyed a period of success.
In addition, Edmonton was billed the "City of Champions" after its inspiring response to a devastating tornado in 1987, which was part of a decade that saw the Gretzky-led Oilers put together an NHL dynasty.
The most recent example of cross-sport success was seen in Boston, where the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins combined for nine championships between 2002-2015.
