NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The Seattle Seahawks face charges of trademark infringement by Texas A&M University just days before their Super Bowl appearance, according to a news report.

The Seahawks, which A&M contends unfairly used the "12th Man" phrase, were scheduled to answer the charges at a hearing in Brazos County, Texas on Tuesday, the Seattle Times reported Wednesday.

The A&M Aggies said the phrase gained prominence during the National Football League playoffs, forcing the school to take action, according to the paper.

"As the games get more important and there's more public exposure of it, then as the trademark owner if you don't do anything...you really are putting your rights at risk," Steve Moore, A&M's chief marketing officer told the Times.

The College Station, Texas university says "12th Man," which refers to the fans supporting the 11 football players on the field, was originated by the school in 1922 and that it has asked the professional football team to stop using the phrase since 2004, according to the paper.

The Seahawks, which are set to square off against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday in Super Bowl XL, declined requests by the paper to comment on the matter.

Moore told the paper that they would not sub-license the brand, and that in order to resolve the dispute the Seahawks "would have to not use any marks that designate "12th Man" any way commercially."

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