I have been meaning to cover this story for a couple days now and haven’t had the chance yet.
Today’s the day.
Have you heard about the Nike “Satan Shoes”?
You know, the ones that only 666 were made, they are demonic red and black colors, allegedly a drop of real human blood embedded in the sole of the shoe, oh and they’re topped up with a pentagram on the laces?
Charming right?
Well, we can confirm here at WeLoveTrump that the shoes ARE real:
MSCHF x Lil Nas X "Satan Shoes" 🏹
👟Nike Air Max '97
🩸Contains 60cc ink and 1 drop of human blood
🗡️666 Pairs, individually numbered
💰$1,018
🗓️March 29th, 2021 pic.twitter.com/XUMA9TKGSX— SAINT (@saint) March 26, 2021
But here’s the catch….
They are NOT produced by Nike.
No, these are built a company with no relationship to Nike that buys the shoes and then adds all the extra customization.
In fact, Nike was reportedly so upset about the shoes they sued the creator:
BREAKING REPORT: Nike has filed a lawsuit against MSCHF over Lil Nas X “Satan Shoes” product release. pic.twitter.com/15PUjLfP36
— The Patriots Gazette (@ThePatsGazette) March 29, 2021
From the NY Post:
Anyone who snagged a pair of Lil Nas X’s “Satan Shoes” may have to return them, if Nike gets its way.
The sportswear giant asked a Brooklyn federal judge Thursday to recall every pair of the controversial sneakers that has already been sent to buyers.
MSCHF, the creative agency behind the demonic kicks, revealed in a court filing that all but one of the 666 pairs it produced have been shipped to people who paid upwards of $1,000 for them earlier this week.
The Brooklyn-based firm cited that fact as a reason that the shoe — released to promote Lil Nas X’s new single — didn’t pose any immediate threat to Nike’s business, adding that it didn’t plan to sell any more pairs.
But Nike disagreed, noting that MSCHF started taking orders for the customized Air Max 97s on the same day the iconic retailer filed a scathing trademark infringement lawsuit over the release.
“Despite knowing of Nike’s objections to its unlawful conduct, MSCHF apparently proceeded to fulfill all the orders for its shoes,” Michael J. Harris, a lawyer for Nike, wrote in a Thursday letter to US District Judge Eric Komitee. “This court should order a recall to prevent MSCHF from gaining an advantage from its own gamesmanship.”
Nike also wants Komittee to block MSCHF from mailing out any remaining shoes that haven’t been shipped. That includes at least one pair the studio planned to give away this week, but MSCHF says it put that plan on hold amid the court battle.
The two sides will argue the matter at a Thursday morning hearing in the case, in which Nike claims MSCHF duped consumers into thinking the Oregon-based company endorsed Satanism.
MSCHF argues the stunt was “highly unlikely” to confuse sneakerheads who bought the shoes given that they had to make the purchase through MSCHF’s proprietary app.
“More significantly, these shoes are works of art that are intended to criticize the ever popular ‘collab culture,’ where brands like Nike collaborate with anyone willing, to make a splash,” MSCHF lawyer Megan K. Bannigan wrote in a Wednesday filing.
News just broke today that not only did Nike file suit but it has reportedly already been granted an injunction:
Nike gets restraining order against Lil Nas X's "Satan Shoes" — blocking all sales https://t.co/HYheZtS35A
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 1, 2021
Judge halts distribution of Lil Nas X's 'Satan shoes' at Nike's request — and buyers might not ever receive the $1,018 shoes they paid for https://t.co/YC3qsNyqom
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) April 1, 2021
From my friends over at The Blaze:
A judge has granted Nike’s request for a temporary restraining order against MSCHF, the company behind rapper Lil Nas X’s highly controversial “Satan shoes.”
The rapper, real name Montero Lamar Hill, collaborated with Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF on the sneakers, which are a limited-edition design built on of a pair of Nike Air Max 97s.
The controversial shoes’ air bubble is filled with 60cc of red ink as well a drop of human blood, according to the rapper.
The shoes — which also feature a pentagram pendant, an embroidered “666,” and a Bible verse — retailed for $1,018 and went on sale Monday. Within minutes, the shoes sold out.
Nike filed a lawsuit against MSCHF earlier this week, stating that it did not authorize the shoes or design.
What are the details?
TMZ reported that a judge granted the company’s request on Thursday for a temporary restraining order demanding the company stop fulfilling any orders.
“Due to the restraining order, MSCHF will not be allowed to ship [the shoes] to customers awaiting the shoe that the creative agency put their blood, sweat, and tears in,” the outlet reported. “FYI … judges grant temporary restraining orders of this type when there’s a high probability that they will win when there’s a full-blown hearing.”
A portion of the company’s Monday complaint read:
Nike has not and does not approve or authorize MSCHF’s customized Satan Shoes. Moreover, MSCHF and its unauthorized Satan Shoes are likely to cause confusion and dilution and create an erroneous association between MSCHF’s products and Nike. In fact, there is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution occurring in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike has authorized or approved this product.
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!