Kyle Owens, 34, should by rights be recognized as a Pokémon Professor, a status conferred by Nintendo to knowledgeable experts of the game franchise seeking leadership roles in the fan community. But as Owens claims in a federal lawsuit against the company and Pokémon Company International, he has been unfairly denied the prestigious accolade.
Owens' lawsuit, which seeks $341,000 in damages, alleges that he passed the basic exam for the rank with a 100% score and that this was acknowledged by Pokémon Company International, which said he would be welcomed into the program after completing a background check. But he failed the background check, reports Clark Kauffman of ABC News affiliate KCRG out of Laurens, Iowa, and 20% was deduced from his score. Now he is not even an adjunct.
The exhibits, made public in Owens' court filings, indicate the background check conducted on behalf of the defendants determined there was a pending arrest warrant, issued by another state in 2022, for failing to appear in court on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct by engaging in fighting; possessing, repairing or selling an offensive weapon; and criminal mischief through damage to property.
On May 6, 2024, Pokémon Company International wrote to Owens, informing him that his "application to the professor program has been denied after reviewing the results of your background check." The letter indicated that once the background check was completed, it was determined he had scored 80% on the exam and failed the test for professor status.
The lawsuit also demands the Owens be awarded the Pokémon Professor certification; the defendants reportedly have yet to reply.
None of the news stories post the actual lawsuit, but it's pro se antitrust litigation, which perhaps suggests the assistance of generative AI.
Here's the official Pokémon Professor page. Those accepted into the program earn "points to spend at the exclusive Professor Store," may participate "in Professor Cups featuring exclusive prizes", and get "Professor-specific swag." There's evidently a serious function within the fandom culture organizing competitions and parties and such.
Previously:
• The Pokémon Company is looking for an ecologist with a PhD
• Man hid in Best Buy at closing to get drop on new Pokémon cards
• Pokémon Go narrated by David Attenborough: 'It is, of course, a bird.'
