HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cantor Colburn LLP, one the largest full-service intellectual property law firms in the country, announced today that U.S. design patent number 731,858 was issued to Mike Golic, host of ESPN’s popular Mike & Mike morning show and former NFL defensive lineman, and his son Jake Golic. The patent is for The Golic Cooler, a novel portable cooler that also provides comfortable seating. Perfect for tailgating, picnicking, camping, and other outdoor leisure activities, the innovative cooler allows easy access to its contents -- even while it is being used as a seat.
The Golics have formed Golic, LLC, a company that is now seeking a partner to manufacture, market, and distribute its cooler as well as add-on products related to tailgating and other recreational activities.
“If there’s one thing my family and I know, it’s what it takes to do tailgating the right way,” said Mike Golic, who enjoyed an eight-year career as a defensive tackle for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Miami Dolphins before becoming a successful broadcaster. “We’ve been tailgating at football games for many years and have always felt that better tailgating products could improve the experience. When Jake mentioned to me that he thought we could improve coolers by incorporating seats, we put our heads together and started a process that led us to being the owners of a number of really innovative and fun cooler- and tailgating-related products.”
“It shouldn’t surprise anyone that I’ve spent a good deal of time around a football stadium,” said Jake Golic, who like his father played football for the University of Notre Dame. “It occurred to me that coolers have looked the same my whole life. I have a degree in design, so I knew there were better ways of designing a cooler that would provide improved function and deliver the ‘wow’ factor.”
Since the Golics are an athletic family and have spent many hours tailgating at football games and other sporting events, developing the cooler quickly became a family project. Mike’s wife Christine, daughter Sydney, and son Mike Jr., who also played football at Notre Dame, all provided crucial input.
During the process, the Golics worked with Evo Design, a Watertown, Connecticut product design and development company, and patent attorney Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn LLP. The cooler prototype has tested very favorably with a focus group, and Golic, LLC now intends to produce The Golic Cooler with the right partner.
“The name Mike Golic is synonymous with football games and with the tailgating experience in general,” said Cantor. “There is an exciting opportunity to market a new line of tailgating and recreational products, like coolers, stoves, canopies, and games under the Golic brand.”
“While we have had discussions with major manufacturers and retailers, we continue to look for the right partner who will assist the Golics in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of the cooler, most likely in a manner similar to the hugely popular George Foreman Grill product line,” said Cantor.
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