three-peat

sports

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July 21, 2026

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A "three-peat" in sports refers to winning three consecutive championships. The term was popularized by basketball coach Pat Riley, who filed for a trademark on it in 1988 while coaching the Los Angeles Lakers. Riley's confidence in his team's ability to achieve this feat reflects his successful and charismatic career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The term is a blend of "three" and "repeat" and was first used in 1988.12

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Pat Riley
…a trademark on the term three-peat when he was head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1988, even though the team had only two consecutive titles under its belt. That confidence sums up the career and legacy of Riley, one of the most brash, charismatic, and successful figures in…
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…a trademark on the term three-peat when he was head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1988, even though the team had only two consecutive titles under its belt. That confidence sums up the career and legacy of Riley, one of the most brash, charismatic, and successful figures in…
Read More