"League Staff" and "Macro Cosmos's" are distinct trainers, designs and categorization within Pokemon Sword & Shield. They even have different animations initiating battle, idle stance, giving commands & upon being defeated.

League Staff:
-Battle once to obtain the Rotom's Catalog and a few in the Battle Tower
-Generally are the majority of the common interactable Macro Cosmos NPCs, like behind the counters during the gym challenges
-Orange Hair
-Jacket Zipped
-Friendly

Macro Cosmos's:
-Oleana's goons you fight regularly during that story segment
-Generally only battled and battled often
-Grey/Silver Hair
-Jacket's Unzipped
-Antagonistic