sneakers
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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Rihanna and Puma have teamed up again to release a “Phat” new collaboration that reimagines the athletic apparel brand’s classic Creeper […]
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Source: @thesocialstatus / Instagram
Sneaker resellers have become a plague amongst the sneaker community as they’ve made it damn near impossible for heads to get their hands on grails for retail price. But now a businessman from Charlotte, NC has the feds on his ass for lowkey partaking in the practice, allegedly.
According to WOSC-TV, said businessman is under investigation by authorities for a money laundering scheme that involved Chinese money couriers which the Feds believe led to millions of dollars going through the spin cycle. The businessman at the heart of this investigation is said to have a few businesses under his umbrella including well-known high-end sneaker spot, Social Status.
Since the initial report, and citing the legal docs, multiple outlets have named the owner as James Whitner—which was easy to determine since he is the founder of The Whitaker Group, which owns Social Status and A Ma Maniere. But Whitner has not been charged with anything yet.
Allegedly, “someone” would take the sneakers Whitner would get directly from the plugs (Nike, Adidas, etc.), and sell them to a Chinese national who would then turn around and resell them on the secondary market. The exchange went on during a five-year period and authorities figure around $32 million was made throughout that time.
No wonder it was damn near impossible to hit on that website’s raffles, respectfully. The product was backdoored to China. And here we thought they were just backdooring the kicks to friends and family.
WOSC-TV reports:
Investigators said the group didn’t report cash payments over $10,000 like it was supposed to, lied to U.S. banks, and potentially broke federal anti-money laundering law.
The man does not face charges at this point.
Stoogenke reached out to him in three different ways on Monday and has yet to hear back.
In general, Stoogenke says money laundering organizations have become underground banking systems that have taken off over the last few years, “cleaning” money from romance scams, drug trafficking, and other crimes.
The Whitaker Group, the ownership of Social Status, issued a statement essentially saying that they have been cooperating. “The recent action by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina (USAO) comes after significant cooperation and good-faith negotiations on our part,” reads the statement. “To be clear, while we take the allegations in the complaint seriously, they are unfounded, unrelated to our business or this community and unjustified. Our professional inventory management team runs a transparent process built on systems that are both legally compliant and consistent with industry standards. We have also complied with all tax obligations annually.”
Reportedly, the forfeiture actions stems from the almost $1.2 million in cash seized from Antwain Freeman, a friend of Whitaker’s, in New Jersey in 2021. The Feds claim the cash was part of the money transmitting scheme.
Don’t be surprised if everyone’s going to start hitting on those Social Status raffles this holiday season as they now know the jig is up, allegedly.
What do y’all think of this situation? Let us know in the comment section below.
“F— Kenny G!” Action Bronson playfully exclaimed halfway through his performance at New Balance‘s TCA New York City Marathon Kick-Off Party on Friday night (Nov. 3). The Queens rapper wasn’t really throwing shots at the Grammy-winning smooth jazz saxophonist, he was simply singing the praises of Matt Carrillo (aka Young Mexico), the incredibly impressive saxophonist and keyboardist that served as one of the main anchors of the band’s whimsical set.
At New Balance’s TCA New York City Marathon Kick-Off Party, sports and hip-hop continued their decades-long convergence as Action Bronson helped celebrate the imminent 26.2-mile race, as well as the latest evolution in his partnership with sports footwear giant New Balance.
After Adidas unexpectedly canceled his UltraBOOST collaboration back in 2019, Bronson teamed up with New Balance, officially announcing a new multi-item collaborative capsule with the brand back in March. Among the items in the capsule were the New Balance 990v6 “Baklava” sneaker. A few months later, a second 990v6 sneaker — named “Lapis Lazuli” — arrived exclusively on Bronson’s specializinginlife.com website (Jun. 22), receiving a global release on Jun. 30.
“I’m just enchanted by nature,” Bronson mused backstage before his performance. “Nature’s beauty. It’s natural beauty. It’s whimsical. It’s like stranger than fiction.”
Given the forest green hues and deep blues that appear across his different colorways, Bronson’s relationship with all of nature’s gifts truly inspired the design of his New Balance collaborations. Finding a home with New Balance was a special journey after the less-than-favorable way his Adidas partnership dissolved, but “I’ve been a New Balance guy for years, way before any of this other s—,” Bronson explains. “I’ve come from a family of f—ing chubby feet, flat feet, where you need a good walking shoe and something with stability and comfort as well as performance. This provides all three for my type.” To further explain, Bronson likened his foot type to “a triangle slice of pizza.”
During his set, Bronson tore through lively renditions of “Latin Grammys,” “DMTri,” and “Baby Blue,” allowing his five-member band to riff to both their heart’s desire and the audience’s pleasure. Embodying the whimsy he attributed to nature, Bronson delivered a characteristically charismatic stage show that even featured him literally touching his toes onstage and adding idiosyncratic percussion flourishes.
Cocodrillo Turbo, Bronson’s last studio effort, arrived last year, but the Billboard Hot 100 hitmaker is already formulating his next LP, although he’s purposely keeping his plans lowkey. “Lots of things [are] coming in the new year,” he teased. “Exciting things if you can’t tell how excited I am. I’m just stoned!”
The TCS NYC Marathon launches on Sunday (Nov. 5) at 8:00 a.m. EST.
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Source: YouTube / WGN9
Another high-stakes sneaker robbery took place, but this time it went down the old fashion way with thieves breaking into a sneaker consignment store and taking any and everything they could.
WGN9 is reporting that Chicago sneaker spot Flee Club was hit hard Wednesday (Oct. 25) when thieves rammed their SUV into the brick-and-mortar store around 4:30 a.m. and ransacked the place for its high-end sneakers and attire. After it was all said and done, thieves made off with more than $100,000 in merchandise, according to Flee Club co-owner Darris Kelly.
Per WGN9:
“Just devastation, my heart is broke,” Kelly said. “You put so much time and money into your store, someone just comes in overnight and takes your dream away.”
Following The Flee Club incident, authorities were trying to determine if the building can support the apartments above due to the severity of the damage. On Wednesday afternoon, owners told WGN News the structure has been deemed safe.
At around 6:05 a.m., Chicago police responded to an attempted retail burglary at the Louis Vuitton store in the 900 block of North Michigan. A group of five to six were unsuccessful after trying to damage the front glass door.
It’s not the only recent “crash-and-grab.”
We lowkey wish we knew which exact sneakers were taken. Sneakerheads love to know that kind of information.
Whether the thieves plan to sell all the merchandise or actually keep it for their own collection is anyone’s guess, but regardless, it was definitely a quick come-up for everyone involved as $100,000 worth of clothes and sneakers is quite the haul.
Don’t be surprised if sneaker consignment stores up their security protocols and invest more in protecting their spots. Smash-and-grabs are on the rise across the U.S. these days. These spots might begin hiring armed security sooner or later the way things are going.
What do y’all think of the latest high-stakes sneaker jux? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty
Over the last few years high-stakes sneaker heists have become routine as the sneaker business is just as profitable as anything else out here on these streets. The trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon as everyone out here is looking to make bank off the ever-growing sneaker culture.
CBS Chicago is reporting that police in the Windy City uncovered a den of stolen sneakers in a warehouse on the West Side of Chicago that housed millions of dollars worth of stolen Nikes, Jordans and Yeezy sneakers that were lifted off of freight trains carrying the valuable footwear. Apparently the hot merchandise was transported there from all corners of the United States to the Austin-based warehouse and flipped to retailers who had no idea that they were buying stolen sneakers.
CBS Chicago reports:
“Whether it be Nike products or UGG products or Adidas or Supreme, a lot of massive amounts of property, it’s probably close to $5 million in merchandise, minimum,” said Lyons Police Chief Tom Heroin.
The massive bust was the result of an investigation by the Lyons Police Department after a cargo theft was reported in the village about a week ago. That led investigators to the warehouse, where a search warrant was issued, and the mother load of theft rings was uncovered.
The site was already on the radar of multiple railroad companies and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office as rail cargo thefts have surged nationwide and become costly for companies.
“What they would do is they’d commit these cargo thefts, like from Memphis, Tennessee. They’d re-label it, and they would ship it here. They would unpackage it, repackage it, and it’s a 100% markup, because they got it all for nothing,” Heroin said.
That sounds like quite the operation that required much man power and coordination. Though only two people have been arrested and charged in connection with the bust, a few others are under investigation. Who knows how many other dominos will fall as a result given the size and scope of this undertaking.
The Lyons Police Department is expected to hold a press conference later this week to explain its finding in the case and information on the individuals involved in the investigation, but what sneaker heads really want to know is which grails were found in this massive bust. Limited edition Jordans? Jarrito Dunks? Supreme Dunks? We. Must. Know!
What do y’all think of this latest massive sneaker bust? Inside job or very well coordinated crooks? Sound off in the comments section below.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Tyler, the Creator and Converse have teamed up yet again for another collaboration on the classic Chuck Taylors, and this time […]
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Source: Jordan Brand / Jordan Brand
If we’ve learned nothing else about Nike it’s that they’re all about their bottom line, so when they decided they’d begin selling refurbished sneakers on a new website, we weren’t really too surprised.
As part of their “Move To Zero” initiative to curb global warming, this week Nike launched a new program on their website dubbed “Nike Refurbished” where they began selling “new” sneakers that have been returned, exchanged or simply didn’t hit the shelves due to small imperfections. The best part is that lots of these sneakers are being sold at a discount of up to 50% off original retail price. Of course sneakerheads are hoping to stumble upon some grails, but chances are you won’t as real heads will hold onto some exclusive kicks or wear them until the sole falls off.
Do expect to see lots of Air Jordan 1’s, 2’s, and 5’s that bricked upon arrival or that were returned when resellers saw that there wasn’t a market for them. Just sayin.’
Per Nike:
What shoes are eligible for Nike refurbished?
Nike footwear that cannot be sold as brand new is eligible for Nike Refurbished. This could include a pair that a consumer returned or exchanged from a recent purchase because it wasn’t quite right for them, or shoes with a small imperfection. All product is then inspected, graded and refurbished by hand by a team of experts.
Well, at least you know you’ll be getting an authentic pair of Nike sneakers if they have their own experts inspecting them. Don’t expect find any Off-White’s, Travis Scott’s or any other top tier collaboration on Nike’s Refurbished site though. Y’all already know sneaker aficionados would rather hold those for the rest of their lives before handing them back to Nike regardless of how it might help slow climate change. Heads will keep that heat for the feet until they disintegrate even if it means earth’s temperature continues to rise to unsustainable levels.
That’s just the sneaker game.
What do y’all think of Nike’s Refurbished sneakers program? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Doja Cat is without doubt a style icon of her generation with dazzling and over-the-top looks coming from every angle in the superstar’s usual defiant style. StockX announced Thursday (September 21) that it will exclusively pre-release the Skechers X Doja Cat Doja’Lite sneakers ahead of the worldwide drop.
Doja Cat and her new Doja’Lite sneaker line is a play on Skechers’ D’Lites style, updated of course to match the “Paint The Town Red” artist’s sense of fashion know-how.
“Starting September 21 at 12 PM, you can grab a pair of my new Skechers Doja’Lite sneakers on StockX while listening to my new album Scarlet. I am excited to share part of my world with my fans,” Doja shared in a statement.
With a retail price tag of $125 USD, the chunky silhouette comes in either Black or white with five colorways to come when the sneaker is released to the wider public. The tongue of the sneakers features Doja Cat’s name along with Skechers branding, and the shoe is at all times rugged, classic, and stylish all at once.
“As the marketplace for current culture, StockX is committed to providing access to of-the-moment products, artists, and trends,” Deena Bahri, CMO at StockX,” shared in a statement. “Today’s consumer continues to lean into the nostalgia trend and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Skechers — a brand with a rich history of conversation-driving collaborations — to help release a product that not only draws inspiration from the recently revived Y2K aesthetic, but also pulls at the heartstrings of those of us who grew up wearing the Skechers D’Lites of the early aughts.”
Just to inform readers, the exclusive StockX drop will only feature the Black or white style in women’s sizing and will be available until supplies run out. The campaign is also launching in StockX Drop-Off locations around the world.
All of this leads up to the release of Doja Cat’s upcoming album, Scarlet, which drops on Friday (September 22).
Hurry over to StockX now and cop your Doja’Lites before they run out. Click here for more.
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Photo: StockX/Skechers
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The 2023 U.S. Open Tennis has crowned Coco Gauff as its champion! After a close match between the 19-year-old and No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, it was Gauff who came out victorious on Saturday (Sept. 9). And she did it wearing her signature New Balance sneakers.
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To celebrate her big win, the tennis pro took to TikTok and posted a video of herself holding the trophy in an all-pink Barbiecore-inspired outfit.
“This barbie is the us open champion,” the caption read.
The championship also marked a few firsts for Gauff, as not only did she take home her first Grand Slam win, but she did so in her first-ever signature Coco CG1 Tennis Shoes with New Balance.
Their partnership began before she entered this year’s U.S. open, though, as New Balance first saw her talent back when she was 14 years old. The brand said they “could see what a special talent she was on the court, but also off,” according to a press release. Now that she’s taken home the U.S. Open champion title, she couldn’t be more thankful for their ongoing support.
“This victory means the world to me, and I hope it inspires others to chase their dreams with determination and passion,” said Coco Gauff in a press statement. “I could never have done this without the support of my family and my team, and I am forever grateful for partners like New Balance that feel like an extension of my family and who have been with me since I was 14 years old.”
Even before she won the Grand Slam, many could see the tennis prodigy’s talent, including Bose, who sat down with her to talk about her life, family and how music and sounds impact her game. She said she always tries to be “authentically [herself] and don’t try to fit in any mold,” which you can see in the bold colorway of her CG1 tennis sneakers.
Want to sport the winning look yourself? The exact tennis sneaker is available to buy now, but not for long. Sizes of the red, black and yellow sneakers are quickly selling out from retailers including New Balance and Dick’s Sporting Goods, which means you’ll have to act fast to secure a pair of your own.
Keep reading to shop the New Balance sneakers below.
New Balance
New Balance Coco CG1
$169.99
Channel your inner champion with a pair of these New Balance sneakers, whether you’re practicing tennis, pickleball or just grabbing lunch with friends. The shoes take inspiration from basketball silhouettes and ’90s aesthetics, resulting in a pair of bold athletic wear that’ll support your feet with FuelCell cushioning and new Energy Arc technology.
Size not available? Be sure to check out Dick’s Sporting Goods as well or resale sites such as eBay that might have pairs available.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best running shorts, men’s sneaker deals and shoes for travel.
Source: Nike / NIke
Earlier this summer Nike re-released the OG John McEnroe Nike “Mac Attack” sneakers which sold out immediately. Now they’re readying to drop an exclusive variation of the sneaker featuring the now iconic (to some) Travis Scott reverse swoosh.
Sneakernews is reporting that the classic sneaker will be retro’d again but this time emblazoned with the Travis Scott emblem on since the rapper did help hype the original re-release not too long ago. While many assumed the re-release would be featuring the Cactus Jack stamp of approval, they actually were the same exact silhouette that dropped in the early 90’s. Now fans will be getting what they expected the first time around and get the kicks that we saw when Travis Scott helped promote the return of the Mac Attacks.
Sneakernews reports:
Paying homage to what came before, the Travis Scott x Nike Mac Attack boasts an intentional resemblance to the silhouette’s original colorway. Much like its predecessor, the collaboration is dressed almost entirely in a light grey, with black applied not only to the mesh insert along the toe but also the leathers that wrap the collar, Swoosh, and lower heel. The “Cactus Jack” logo embroidered onto the shoe’s spine is threaded in the same neutral, while the woven label and “NIKE” further echo the look of the OG.
If the first drop sold out, y’all know these Travis Scott editions are going to be a hot commodity out on these streets.
The kicks are supposed to see a December 2nd release though Nike is notorious for pushing back release dates on hype sneakers. Check out the Travis Scott Mack Attack’s below and let us know if you’ll be checking for these when they drop in the comments section below.
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