Fan websites ??

[locomo]

Hi

I'm thinking about developing a fan site for a famous major league baseball player. The domain is the players full name, ie: FirstLast.net

I'm wondering what the legal ramifications are to monetizing the site? Is it a hard stop no no? Legit? Or a gray area?

Would love to hear everyone's thoughts and personal experiences/approaches in this area.

I'm a legitimate fan. I see the possible legal problems with profiting from someone else's name - but on the other hand is it wrong to profit from making a compelling destination for like minded people?

Sorry if this has been discussed in depth already (if so, could someone direct me to a previous post?).

thanks!!

 

[Ronald Regging]

Fan sites are usually protected assuming they generate $0 revenue. If you monetize it, you open yourself up to legal problems.

 

[ji]

Good: http://matthew-fox.net/

Bad: lilwayne.com (parked)

 

[DDC_Cyn]

I work with a lot of fansites and as long as it looks like you're a fan who's monetizing to cover costs chances are it won't be a problem (unless you're selling porn). If it's nothing but one big page of affiliate links they could come after you and ask you to stop.

 

[Dreads]

contact MLB and see how they feel... i am sure they will have something to say..

 

[locomo]

thanks for these responses - I think I'll start out with a content focused site and then ease in some monetization over time ...

 

[nextlevelsports]

There is very rarely an issue with this at all. I work with alot of athletes and they or their agents could care less.