Nike is launching legal action against the company behind Lil Nas X’s controversial, blood-filled ‘Satan Shoes’.
This past Monday, the rapper released a collab with outré art brand MSCHF, which has caused quite a stir. The red and black makeup of the Air Max 97 has attracted widespread criticism as it features a pentagram, as well as one drop of human blood in the sole, which many have slammed what they feel is the endorsement of devil-worship.
Since it dropped this past Monday, Nike has been quick to distance itself from the collab, and in a statement made public on Tuesday the sportswear giant said it intends to sue the company responsible for the product.
“MSCHF and its unauthorised 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 authorised or approved this product.”
Since their release on Monday, many have come forward to voice their disapproval for the shoes. Donald Trump’s pastor Mark Burns has described the trainers are “evil”, while UFC superstar Jon Jones has threatened to burn all his Nike footwear.
For his part, Lil Nas X has not released an official response, although he has uploaded a series of Tweets mocking the lawsuit. Whether or not Nike intends to follow through on its promise to sue the boutique art brand remains to be seen, but it’s clear the company wants to make it clear it had nothing to do with the production or release of this collab.
Despite the avalanche of criticism, the $1000+ trainers sold out in no time, suggesting not everyone is against the idea of owning blood-stained shoes!
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