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Sixers’ Joel Embiid is trademarking ‘The Process’ and wants to start his own line of Shirley Temples

The 76ers star received word from the U.S. Patents and Trademark Office on Tuesday that his application to trademark the phrase “The Process” has been approved.

Joel Embiid can now create shirts, sweatshirts, hats and flip flops with “The Process” on them.
Joel Embiid can now create shirts, sweatshirts, hats and flip flops with “The Process” on them.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer

Do you trust “The Process” so much you want to put it on a T-shirt? Well, you’re too late.

The phrase has been trademarked by the person who made it the most famous: Joel Embiid.

The 76ers star received word from the U.S. Patents and Trademark Office on Tuesday that his application to trademark the phrase “The Process” has been approved.

Embiid first applied for the trademark protection on October 28, 2016, two days after he made his NBA debut with the Sixers against the Thunder in Philadelphia.

This specific trademark application allows Embiid to create shirts, sweatshirts, hats and flip flops with “The Process” on them. It’s registered for Embiid by CAA Sports, a talent agency based in Los Angeles.

Embiid’s trademark applications offer a window into the business empire he’s trying to grow. In addition to selling apparel, it appears the Sixers star intends to launch a line of bottled Shirley Temples under the name “The Process.”

Embiid’s love for Shirley Temples is well-known. The Sixers even held sold the ginger-ale-and-grenadine beverage at the Wells Fargo Center, as part of an All-Star game promotion in 2017.

This is just one of a series of trademark applications the star has filed. He’s also looking to get permission to use the phrase on cell-phone cases, novelty license plates, wrapping paper, boxer shorts and even in video games.

And he filed other applications saying he intends to use the phrase “Trust the Process” on things like jewelry, shoes, snow globes.

Embiid isn’t the only Sixer trying to make money off his brand. Jimmy Butler filed an application to trademark “Jimmy Buckets” (via Spring Creek Entertainment) in November 2015 when he was with the Bulls.

And the Sixers themselves are trying to make money off the years-long rebuilding plan that drew the ire of fans back when the team only won 10 games.

Philadelphia 76ers, LLC. filed for trademark protection for the phrase “Trust the Process” on Sept. 26, 2018 -- ahead of the season that just ended with a Game 7 loss to the Raptors.