Toronto bar told to take down social media posts with Blue Jays logo

TORONTO — A Toronto bar and music venue had to take down social media posts promoting its specials and watch party for Game 7 of the American League Championship Series after receiving a warning letter from the Toronto Blue Jays about using the team’s logo.

Sneaky Dee’s manager George Diamantouros said his business received a notice from the team the next morning saying the promotional posts on Facebook and Instagram violated the Blue Jays’ trademark rights and should be deleted.

“We got a letter from someone at the Blue Jays asking us to take it down because of copyright and trademarks, which we gladly agreed to,” he said in an interview.

Diamantouros said Sneaky Dee’s immediately took down the posts, which also included images of Jays players, and posted a note on social media to warn other small businesses against using Blue Jays materials.

“We just made ... a very simple post and we certainly didn’t think it would get us into any trouble, and as soon as it did, we rectified the situation,” he said. “We made a subsequent post just as a warning to other bars and small businesses.”

The Blue Jays said in a statement they are grateful for the support from Toronto businesses, but Jays marks including logo and player images can only be used for promotional purposes by the team’s official partners.

That is standard practice across sporting and advertising industries, the team said.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of local businesses celebrating the Blue Jays’ return to the World Series, including hosting fans for watch parties,” it said. “We are looking forward to continuing to celebrate this historic run with Blue Jays fans and businesses across the country!”

Diamantouros said Sneaky Dee’s will continue to show Blue Jays’ games as they face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series on Friday.

“We’re gonna advertise it in a little bit of a different way, you know, just ‘Go Birds,’” he said.

“We’re gonna actively avoid anything that can get us into trouble.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2025.

Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press