As someone that has spent his entire career working in

trademark licensing I assure you my question is not "a nonsense question", but go ahead and keep thinking that way if it makes you feel better.

Most schools have a player's name on the back of their jersey making the issue somewhat less complicated. Trade dress also comes into play along with any "agreements" players may have signed in the past and myriad other issues depending upon the school.

Bottom line...it is a Pandora's box requiring a lot of sorting through before the legal issues are settled.