Sunday’s roundup: Brantley faces battery charge

Gainesville, Fla. — Former Florida star and NFL prospect Caleb Brantley is facing misdemeanor charges he allegedly punched a woman in the face, knocking her out and dislodging a tooth.

According to Alachua County, Florida, court records, Brantley, a 22-year-old defensive linesman, was charged on Friday with battery.

A Gainesville police affidavit says Brantley and Chelsea Austin were arguing shortly after 2 a.m. April 13 when she pushed him. The affidavit says the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Brantley responded by hitting the 5-foot-6, 120-pound woman in the face.

Investigators say the punch far exceeded what was needed for self-defense. They say two witnesses saw the fight.

Brantley did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Brantley has been expected to be a top-round pick in this week’s NFL draft.

Raiders trademark

A handful of people paid up to $275 for the “Las Vegas Raiders” trademark when news of the team’s potential move from Oakland surfaced in January 2016. The filings have shed light on a trademark system that gives priority to the first people to submit applications, regardless of the validity of their claims.

The applications for the various uses of the Las Vegas Raiders name put in by the team in August are still in limbo as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office evaluates earlier applications for the name, The Las Vegas Sun reported.

Patrick Jennings, a sports trademark attorney, said it is nearly impossible to acquire a trademark for a brand such as the Raiders, but the other applicants could delay the process for the team.

The Raiders need the formal trademark in order to create merchandise and materials with the team name.