during the 2015 NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field on January 18, 2015 in Seattle, Washington.

Two big names in professional and college football share one of the biggest mantras in sports, and they have reached a new licensing deal on that trademark.

The Seattle Seahawks will pay $140,000 to Texas A&M for limited rights to the “12th Man” trademark. The deal reportedly runs for five years, according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell.

More, from Rovell:

As part of the new five-year deal obtained by ESPN, the Seahawks will pay a royalty fee of $18,000 a year for using the mark just in the Pacific Northwest. The Seahawks also will have to pay $10,000 a year to the Aggies to help support the school in its fight to protect the trademark.

Unlike the terms of the earlier deals, which were initiated in 2006 and re-signed in 2011, the Seahawks will no longer use “12th Man” on their Ring of Honor, nor will the team use “12th Man” on its social media handles. The team has never been permitted to put “12th Man” on merchandise.

The battle between the two has been well-documented over the years. As Rovell points out, Texas A&M took legal action against the Seahawks in 1990 for using the phrase without permission.

Some also might not be sure why A&M holds the mantra so dear to their hearts. But that’s just how college football is. Slogans, and traditions count for nearly as much as wins and losses do on the football field. Having an NFL team use yours is nothing to look away from.

[ESPN]

About Harry Lyles Jr.

Harry Lyles Jr. is an Atlanta-based writer, and a Georgia State University graduate.