In a stunning blow to one of the Premier League’s most marketable talents, Chelsea and England midfielder Cole Palmer has officially lost his bid to trademark his iconic “Cold Palmer” nickname following a protracted legal showdown with the prestigious French vineyard Château Palmer. The decision, handed down by the UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) on September 24, 2025, marks the end of a year-long dispute that pitted a 23-year-old football sensation against a 200-year-old Bordeaux estate renowned for its £750-a-bottle Claret wines. Palmer, whose shivering goal celebration has become a global phenomenon, was left “stunned and disappointed,” according to sources close to the player, as the ruling blocks his ambitious plans to brand a sprawling empire of merchandise. Football fans worldwide are now buzzing with debate: what does this mean for Palmer’s off-pitch ambitions, and can the “Cold One” find a way to chill out his commercial dreams?
The saga began last November when Palmer filed for trademark protection on “Cold Palmer” – a playful nod to his signature post-goal ritual, first unveiled in a 3-2 win over Luton Town in December 2023, where he rubbed his arms and puffed his cheeks to mimic freezing temperatures. “It’s funny, as it works well with my name,” Palmer quipped in a Telegraph interview at the time, highlighting how the moniker had caught fire among supporters. The application was expansive, covering a dizzying array of classes under the Nice Classification system: from Class 33 (alcoholic beverages like wines, spirits, and liqueurs) to Class 3 (cosmetics, aftershave, and razor blades), Class 25 (clothing), Class 28 (toys), Class 29/30 (food and diet drinks), and even Class 12 (vehicles, including cars). Documents obtained by The Sun reveal Palmer’s vision was nothing short of a lifestyle juggernaut – envisioning “Cold Palmer” energy drinks for post-match recovery, branded hoodies for matchday vibes, and perhaps even a line of luxury aftershave to keep opponents at bay. “It’s about owning my story,” a source from Palmer’s camp told GB News earlier this year. “From the pitch to the shelf – that’s the plan.”
Enter Château Palmer, the Margaux-based winery founded in 1814 by British Army officer Charles Palmer (no relation to our hero). The estate, a Third Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification and producer of some of the world’s most coveted reds, swiftly opposed the filing in February 2025, arguing that the similarity between “Cold Palmer” and their heritage brand could dilute its prestige and confuse consumers – especially in the booze category. “Our name carries centuries of vinicultural legacy,” a winery spokesperson stated in a formal opposition letter to the IPO. “Allowing a trademark in alcoholic beverages risks tarnishing that image with unrelated football branding.” The vineyard, which sells vintages like the 2019 Palmer for upwards of £750 per bottle, emphasized the phonetic and visual overlap, citing potential marketplace muddles where fans might mistake a “Cold Palmer” rosé for a vineyard knockoff. Legal experts, including trademark attorney James Manship of Tennant IP, noted the winery’s strong case: “Palmer’s application treads too close to an established mark in a sensitive class like alcohol, where brand integrity is paramount.”
The IPO’s ruling, delivered after months of hearings and evidence submissions, sided unequivocally with Château Palmer. In a 45-page judgment, examiners ruled that the marks were “sufficiently similar to cause a likelihood of confusion,” particularly for wines and spirits, and rejected Palmer’s bid across the disputed classes. While non-alcoholic elements like toys and clothes received partial approval in a separate filing, the core booze and lifestyle ambitions – the heart of Palmer’s pitch – were shot down. “This is a significant setback,” said Edwin Coe LLP trade mark specialist Karen Lee, who commented on ITV Evening News. “Palmer’s following a path trodden by stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane, who’ve trademarked their names successfully. But heritage brands like Château Palmer wield real power in opposition proceedings.” Palmer’s team has 28 days to appeal, but insiders suggest the £50,000+ legal fees may deter a full fight, especially with Chelsea’s packed schedule – including a Champions League opener against Bayern Munich this week.
The news hit Palmer hard. The Manchester-born ace, who exploded onto the scene with a £40 million move from Manchester City in 2023 and has since notched 25 goals in 50 appearances, was reportedly “gutted” during a training session at Cobham yesterday. Teammates rallied around him; Enzo Fernández posted a supportive emoji string on Instagram (“❄️🔥 Keep pushing, brother”), while Noni Madueke joked on X: “Cold Palmer denied? Time for Hot Palmer energy drinks instead! 😂 #CFC.” Palmer himself broke his silence with a cryptic tweet: a photo of his celebration mid-shiver, captioned “Still cold in here ❄️ Who’s next?” Fans, however, are divided. On Reddit’s r/chelseafc, threads exploded with over 2,000 upvotes debating the fallout: “Gutted for Cole – that vineyard’s gatekeeping a nickname,” lamented one user, while another quipped, “£750 wine vs. £10 Palmer socks? Let the kid win!” Pundits weighed in too; Gary Lineker, on his podcast, called it “a classic David vs. Goliath – but Goliath’s got better lawyers and Bordeaux.” Some speculate a pivot to “Ice Palmer” or “Frosty CP” could dodge the issue, while others eye collaborations with non-conflicting brands like Red Bull for energy drinks or Nike for apparel tie-ins.
This isn’t just a personal loss for Palmer – it’s a cautionary tale for modern athletes navigating the branded athlete era. Ronaldo boasts over 20 trademarks, from CR7 hotels to underwear lines, raking in £20 million annually. Kane’s 2017 filing covers everything from beer to bicycles, fueling his off-pitch portfolio. Palmer, with his boyish charm and viral moments (that Panenka penalty against United still haunts Old Trafford), was poised to join them. Instead, the rejection underscores the perils of phonetic pitfalls and the ironclad protections afforded to legacy luxury marks. “It’s a reminder that trademarks aren’t just about fame – they’re about dilution risks,” Manship explained. “Palmer’s young; he can rebrand smarter next time.” As Chelsea prepare for Southampton in the league, whispers of a “Cold Palmer” pop-up shop – sans booze – are already circulating, with fans petitioning the IPO for a rethink (over 15,000 signatures in hours).
For now, Palmer’s stunned silence speaks volumes. The kid who turned heads with ice-cold finishes now faces a thawed trademark dream. Will he appeal, adapt, or let it slide like a missed sitter? One thing’s certain: in the coliseum of commerce, even superstars can catch a chill. Chelsea supporters, ever loyal, are chanting his name – and plotting ways to keep the “Cold” alive, vineyard be damned.
