Belichick and Hudson Seek Trademark for "Gold Digger"

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson are taking steps to secure the rights to the term “gold digger.”

TCE Rights Management LLC, the entity owned by the North Carolina football coach and managed by Hudson, submitted a trademark application for the phrase intended for use on jewelry and keychains, as reported by trademark attorney Josh Gerben on August 27.

The playful term highlights the notable age difference between Belichick, 73, and Hudson, 24, who began their relationship earlier this year. In addition to “gold digger,” Belichick’s company has also filed for trademarks on phrases like “Chapel Bill,” “Belestrator,” “Trail of Salty Tears,” “No Days Off,” and “The Belichick Way.”

Fans of the coach may find this move unsurprising. Hudson has frequently addressed critics of their relationship, both subtly and overtly. On August 23, she shared an Instagram photo blowing a kiss while standing alongside Belichick on the sidelines, with Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” playing in the background.

This post could be interpreted as a response to accusations that she distracts from the Tar Heels football program as Belichick embarks on his inaugural season. ESPN commentator Paul Feinbaum labeled the relationship a distraction in June, suggesting that Belichick should distance himself from Hudson.

“I’m going to go where I shouldn’t go, but then again, we’re talking about Bill Belichick. He has fired coaches, gotten rid of great players, he separated from the greatest quarterback of all time — it’s time for Bill Belichick to fire his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson,” Feinbaum stated. “Listen, I’m happy for them, but North Carolina hired him because he’s a great coach, not to be a distraction. He’s a major distraction right now in this game of football. I’m sorry.”

The trademark application follows closely on the heels of North Carolina's announcement regarding a season-long Hulu docuseries featuring the team — significant news given the university's recent high-profile fallout with HBO over a potential Hard Knocks season in Chapel Hill.

“It’s going to feature the players working hard, which you guys do,” Belichick told his team in a clip shared by North Carolina on X on August 24. “It’s about the players improving and getting better through their hard work, which you do. And a program starting from where it started from several months ago to wherever it’s gonna go during the course of the season, which, of course, will be determined on the field.”

“It’ll show our commitment to winning,” he added. “It’ll show our commitment to the team, and that’s our priority.”