US quidditch leagues to change name in effort to break from JK Rowling

Two leagues that operate the sport in the US also cite trademark issues for their decision for the rebranding.

The sport of quidditch has grown in popularity since it was invented in the Harry Potter novels, and is played in numerous countries under the jurisdiction of the International Quidditch Association.

In contrast to the airborne game played by Potter and his friends at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, ground-based quidditch involves two teams of seven players clutching broomsticks and chasing the balls around a hockey-sized field.