Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?
Over the past few years, NFL teams have gone to great lengths to hype up the release of their annual schedules. However, the Cleveland Browns’ recent bowling-themed schedule reveal video has been accused of being a rip-off.
The reveal of NFL schedules wasn’t always an elaborate affair, but teams realized they could harness these announcements for free publicity by creating viral content during the quieter offseason.
As a result, it’s become standard practice for teams to produce elaborate videos to promote their slate of games. While the Chargers once again stood out with their clever use of The Sims to take shots at other teams, the Browns’ video also gained attention, albeit for different reasons.
The Browns’ bowling video, featuring bowling legend Pete Weber, didn’t blow everyone away, but it did garner appreciation for Weber’s iconic appearance at the end.
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However, it appears the Browns might have been beaten to the punch. On Thursday, a company called Mugsy Jeans implied that the Browns copied an ad they released last year. This ad also starred Weber, who struck a similar pose in front of a lane at the same bowling alley where the Browns filmed their video.
Weber’s iconic “Who do you think you are? I am!” catchphrase featured in both videos.
While this phrase is inherently tied to Weber, making claims of plagiarism in this case tricky, Mugsy Jeans’ pointed comparison suggests the Browns may have taken more than just inspiration from their ad.
Clearly Mugsy jeans has a reason to be irked.
