Texas A&M Univ. officials yesterday announced the "procurement of the domain" www.12thMan.com, which was "transferred on June 30 as the new home for aggieathletics.com, the university's original site for all things sports-related," according to Jordan Overturf of the Bryan-College Station EAGLE. Tennessee native Eric Arnold said that his family owned the domain "as part of an athletic apparel distribution company." When the family decided to start to a new business, it "approached Texas A&M about taking over ownership." Arnold said, "My motivation for this was that I didn't want the domain to go unused, so I approached the university in February" (Bryan-College Station EAGLE, 7/8). Arnold added, "Texas A&M had approached me a while back about acquiring that domain name, and since I wasn’t operating it any more for my business purposes, I felt strongly that they would be a good owner of the brand to continue it." He added, “They were great to work with, and I’m happy. The (website name) has got a good home. It’s been my baby for a long time, and I’m glad it’s going to someone who will take care of it.” In Houston, David Barron noted Texas A&M has been "in the midst of an aggressive legal campaign to defend its 12th Man trademark." The university has "lodged complaints and threatened action against a group that includes a double amputee and cancer survivor who co-founded the site 12thManThunder.com promoting efforts to keep the Bills in Buffalo" (CHRON.com, 7/7).
