The Kansas City Chiefs overcame Buffalo Bills on Sunday, which means Pat Riley could be in line for a huge payday. The term "three-peat" has become famous among sports fans in the last three decades. According to several sources, Riley owns four different trademarks related to the phrase. If the Chiefs win their third consecutive Super Bowl, it will be a victory for Riley as well.
In a thrilling game that went down to the wire, the Chiefs beat the Bills 32-29 at Arrowhead Stadium to keep their hopes of a historic three-peat alive. A win at Super Bowl 59 on Feb. 9 will likely lead to a large collection of jewellery, memorabilia and merchandise with the term flashed across it.
Riley had the foresight early in his career to see that the catchy phrase could turn into something special. According to a piece from ESPN in 2014, Riley had filed a trademark to use the "3-peat" term through his company "Riles & Co". At the time, Pat Riley's Miami Heat were on the verge of winning their third straight NBA title after beating the OKC Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
Riley apparently fist came up with the phrase in the late '80s during his time coaching the LA Lakers. Going into the 1988-89 season, a Magic Johnson-led Lakers team were on a high after winning the championship in 1987 and 1988. Unfortunately, Los Angeles fell short of a coveted three-peat in 1989, getting swept in the Finals by Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and the Detroit Pistons.
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Recording a three-peat at any level is tough. It's a rarity that only a few franchises have attained over history. Since 1990, only the handful on North American sports teams have achieved the feat.
Led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, the Chicago Bulls dominated the headlines throughout the '90s and would go on to win three-consecutive titles twice (1991-1993, 1996-1998). The Lakers won three in a row between 2000 to 2002 under coach Phil Jackson. In the MLB, the New York Yankees recorded a three-peat at the turn of the century, winning in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Pat Riley has reportedly donated a large portion of his earning from the three-peat trademark to charity over the years.
Pat Riley is one of the most decorated coaches and executives in NBA history
Pat Riley's influence and contribution to the game of basketball cannot be overstated. The 79-year-old has been involved with the NBA since breaking through as a player 58 years ago. After an illustrious playing career that included a championship in 1972, he transitioned into coaching and evolved into one of the game's great tacticians.
After three years as an assistant, the New York native received his first head coaching job with the Lakers in 1981. He would go on to lead the team to a championship in his first season, which was only the beginning for Riley.
Pat Riley had successful stints with the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat as he put together an impressive resume. Over his 24-year coaching career, he won five NBA championships and was named the NBA Coach of the Year thrice.
Since 2008, Riley has moved up the ranks and is now the Heat's president. As an executive, he has built a strong identity and culture with the Southern Florida franchise (termed the "Heat Cultlure").
The Heat have been regular contenders in the Eastern Conference and have gone on to win two NBA titles under Riley's leadership. In 2011, Riley was named the league's Executive of the Year for the first time.
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