A lot has happened in the Sanders household in less than a couple of weeks, all while Deion Sanders prepares to begin the 2026 season as the Colorado Buffaloes’ head coach. First, Coach Prime was recently asked to testify in his son Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy trial later this month. Now, however, Sanders has reportedly found himself involved in a legal battle of his own.

According to Tony Farmer, Deion Sanders is being sued in federal court by a graphic designer over use of the Prime21 logo. Per reports, graphic designer Alan Tipp is claiming that Sanders hired him to create branding and designs for Sanders’ business ventures, including an eyewear line and a broader personal brand.

Now, however, Tipp is suing Sanders because he apparently believes Sanders and the companies involved used creative work that he designed without properly compensating him or recognizing his rights to that work.

According to court reports shared online, the relationship allegedly began around November 2011. Per Tipp, Sanders had seen some of his previous work and contacted him about potentially working together. Sanders allegedly wanted Tipp’s help with graphic design, product design, marketing, and branding.

The reports shared by Farmer identify two logos called “P2IME” and “TRUTH.” The lawsuit involves copyrights and trademarks, as well as a claim of unfair competition. According to Tipp’s complaint, the major turning point came in December 2022.

Tipp alleges that Sam Morini, Sanders’ brand manager and a representative of SMAC Entertainment, contacted him and persuaded him to sign a “work-for-hire” agreement giving up his rights in that work by promising him significant future roles and opportunities.

Tipp was allegedly told he would become an integral part of Sanders’ marketing and branding team. He also claims he was told he would have opportunities to teach University of Colorado students about branding, work with Colorado’s athletic and merchandising departments, work with Nike on Sanders-branded apparel and footwear, and continue designing and developing a marketing plan for an exclusive Sanders sunglasses line using the designs at issue.

However, Tipp alleges that all the promises made were false. After he signed, Tipp claims the defendants cut him out, told him his services were no longer needed, and then used and profited from designs and branding that he believes originated with him.

But the complaint says that a few months later, in September 2023, the defendants and Blenders Eyewear released the PRIME sunglasses line. The commercial success of the sunglasses was widely reported at the time.

The development gained momentum just a week after Deion Sanders was sought to testify for Shilo Sanders‘ bankruptcy trial on August 31. While Sanders was conducting an open football practice, a deputy sheriff went to the University of Colorado on August 11 with legal documents for Deion.

However, Sanders was unavailable and the documents were handed to his attorneys. Subsequently, Sanders’ attorney, Harvey Steinberg, confirmed that he wants Sanders to appear virtually during the trial rather than in person.

“We have determined that the best way to proceed is as follows: the Judge has stated that Mr. Sanders testimony would be irrelevant unless the door was opened by defendant’s counsel Mr. Vital,” Steinberg said in his Aug. 17 letter to Ori Raphael, Darjean’s attorney. “Mr. Vital has assured me that he has no intention of opening that door.

“However, should the Judge rule and determine that Mr. Sanders testimony has become relevant, we have agreed that Mr. Sanders will make himself available to appear virtually for any testimony. As a result, acceptance of the subpoena is now moot, and you can contact me should Mr. Sanders unexpectedly need to testify. I will arrange for his presence virtually upon reasonable notice.”

For now, while Shilo Sanders’ trial is scheduled for August 31, Deion Sanders’ own legal battle is seemingly taking another turn.