I think espn made a mistake confusing patents with trademarks

Three-peat is a trademark not a patent

According to Brave ai:

Pat Riley Three-Peat

Pat Riley trademarked the phrase "Three-Peat" in 1988 while he was the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. The term, a combination of the words "three" and "repeat," refers to winning three consecutive championships. Riley secured this trademark amid the Lakers' pursuit of a third consecutive NBA title, though they ultimately lost in the Finals that year to the Detroit Pistons.

Riley's trademark has since generated royalties for him when other teams achieve a "three-peat." For example, he earned $300,000 in royalties when the Chicago Bulls won three consecutive NBA championships in the 1990s. Additionally, if the Kansas City Chiefs win a third consecutive Super Bowl, Riley stands to make more money due to the trademark.

The trademark has been challenged several times over the years, with critics arguing that the term is too generic and widely used in sports. Despite these challenges, Riley's company, Riles & Co., continues to maintain the trademark and license it for use in merchandise and promotions related to teams achieving a "three-peat."