sneakers
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Source: Nike / NIke
It’s no secret that the sneaker game has taken a nose dive in recent years, and while that can be attributed to many factors (over saturation, price hikes, resellers, etc.), Nike seems poised to have a helluva 2025 thanks to the pending return of many sought after classic silhouettes.
Still, the hype around many of Nike’s releases in the coming new year doesn’t seem to have been enough to save the job of its CEO, John Donahoe, who will be stepping down as the Swoosh brand continues to struggle on the marketplace and continues to see its stock tumble as Nike’s releases continue to brick worldwide.
According to the New York Times, Donahoe took over as Nike’s CEO after Elliott Hill retired from the position back in 2020 when the sneaker game was at the height of its popularity even as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life all around the globe. Unfortunately, it seems like Donahoe has since been viewed as someone who lacked the kind of “innovator and marketer” that Nike wanted to take them to the next level.
Source: Nike / NIke
Now that Donahoe is out his predecessor, Elliott Hill, will be coming out of retirement to once again take the helm of the “struggling” conglomerate that is Nike and do what he can to steady the ship through the treacherous waters that is the market place in 2024 and beyond. Luckily, Hill does have a bit of experience and just might be the captain that Nike once again needs to steer them into the black.
Having started his tenure with Nike back in 1988, Elliott Hill spent the next 32 years helping establish the Swoosh brand as the go-to sports brand in both North America and Europe, including overseeing the commercial and marketing operations for Nike and Jordan Brand. So yeah, he knows a thing or two about what he’s getting into… again.
The New York Times reports:
Simeon Siegel, a retail analyst at BMO Capital Markets, said Nike’s “magic” was that it was the largest player in the sneaker category, with a huge marketing budget.
“Nike is known for its storytelling. When the primary focus becomes on going direct as opposed to telling these stories, some of that magic falls behind,” Siegel said.
Mark Parker, the executive chairman of Nike and who served as chief executive before Mr. Donahoe, said the board had conducted a “thoughtful succession process.”
In a statement, he called Mr. Hill the “right person to lead Nike’s next stage of growth.”
The announcement of Hill’s return alone helped Nike’s stock shares jump 10% in aftermarket trading after falling up to 24% throughout 2024. So yeah, good call Nike.
While we don’t know what the future holds for John Donahoe, Nike co-founder Phil Knight thanked the man for his service in a statement and ultimately agreed with the decision to bring back Elliott Hill.
“It became clear now was the time to make a leadership change, and Elliott is the right person,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing Nike and Elliott’s future successes.”
Man, just give us the sneakers we want and fall back on the crazy color ways no one asked for. Just sayin’.
What do y’all think about Nike’s CEO being replaced? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Nike / NIke
Rejoice sneakerheads for a new Nike x Patta Air Max 1 is set to release in just a few days and the colorway is something that’ll certainly snap some necks and get second looks.
Source: Nike / NIke
According to Nike, the latest installment to their every growing Patta x Nike collection is set to release on September 13 and will come in the form of the classic Air Max 1 silhouette which will come in the coveted green “Chlorophyll” colorway that is reserved for the most exclusive drops. Unfortunately, this Air Max 1 collaboration won’t be featuring the wavy mudguards that the previous Patta x Air Max 1 drops sported (we really loved that little detail) as they’ve chosen to remain faithful to the original release which dropped in 2009.
The return of the “Chlorophyll” Patta x Nike Air Max 1 comes as Patta celebrates it’s 20 year anniversary, so what better way to commemorate the milestone than to bring back one of their most coveted collaborations of all-time?
Per Nike:
Air Max 1 Chlorophyll fans will find the fresh drop nearly identical to the original, with a few modern touches. Both then and now, designers obsessed every detail — even reusing the exact same fabric from the 2009 release in this year’s drop. The Chlorophyll and Matte Silver colorway is as iconic as ever, and the custom Patta tongue label reminds of the space the brand has carved out within sneaker culture. An updated sock liner swaps a Dutch Guilder design for one featuring a €20 bill, and a custom box, emblazoned with Chlorophyll accents, draws focus to Patta’s 20 years of serving the community.
“The original Chlorophyll project was almost like a first album: There was a lot of energy, a lot of ideation in there, and the product was just very organic,” says Patta cofounder Guillaume “Gee” Schmidt. “With this release, we stick to the essence of the shoe, which really stands the test of time. It’s just an amazing moment to bring back a shoe that’s so coveted, that’s so loved by the sneaker community and the community at large.”
We need a few of these pairs in our lives.
Check out pics of the upcoming Nike x Patta Air Max 1 “Chlorophyll”‘s below and let us know if you’ll be trying to copp a pair when they release on September 13 in the comments section.
Source: Nike / NIke
Source: Nike / NIke
Source: Nike / NIke
Source: Nike / NIke
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Source: StockX / StockX
Over the years StockX’s reputation has taken a massive hit as not only have they been caught selling fake sneakers by both customers and Nike, but they don’t even guarantee authenticity anymore as bootleg sneakers are allegedly becoming more and more indistinguishable from their authentic counterparts.
Needless to say they’ve since been struggling to maintain their business earnings in recent years resulting in the company slashing their workforce, but now it seems like they may get a little boost as they’ve partnered with Walmart to sell their stock as the resale market has cooled as of late.
According to Bloomberg, Walmart Inc. is looking to get in on the sneaker resale market (a tad bit late if you ask us) and are joining forces with the embattled sneaker reselling company to help them get their foot in the door.
Starting next week Walmart’s website will carry hundreds of sneakers that hypebeasts crave before eventually expanding to possibly tens of thousands of items in the coming future.
Vice president and category lead at Walmart Marketplace, Michael Mosser feels like this is in Walmart’s best interest to not only reach a new group of consumers, but also give their existing customers a new category to shop from going forward.
Bloomberg reports:
Shoppers “are looking for this full spectrum of products from Walmart,” whether that’s staples or collectible items, Mosser said, adding that Walmart is experiencing healthy demand for coveted sneakers.
The partnership — the first between Walmart and StockX — is part of the retailer’s efforts to beef up its online business to grab more spending from Amazon.com Inc. and other retail giants. Walmart said last week that it will expand the assortment on its marketplace of third-party vendors to include pre-owned and collectible products, building on its offering of refurbished electronics.
For StockX, it marks its first third-party platform deal, Chief Executive Officer Scott Cutler said in an interview. The Walmart deal will help StockX reach a new consumer base, including customers who may be unfamiliar with the brand, he said.
Customers who are unfamiliar with the brand and their reputation no less (no shots).
While this move will undoubtedly help both Walmart and StockX move merchandise, we have to wonder if anything will change on StockX’s part. Will the move effect the prices of the sneakers they’re reselling? Will they once again guarantee authenticity now that Walmart is involved? These are just a few questions sneaker have now that StockX has gotten new life in 2024.
What do y’all think of Walmart partnering up with StockX? Let us know in the comments section below.
Source: StockX / StockX
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Source: Brad Barket / Getty / Steven Smith / Kanye West
If Kanye West hopes to continue dropping hot footwear, he will be doing so without his longtime collaborator and YZY designer Steven Smith.
Steven Smith is letting the chopper spray on his former boss, Kanye West after the embattled multihyphenate fired him. Speaking with Fast Company, Smith says, “He’s lost his mind. The whole of Yeezy is circling the drain, and this is just part of it. He has surrounded himself with toxic, C-grade losers.”
Ouch.
Smith’s comments are damming because he was described by the website as a “sensitive defender of Ye and, in particular, the treatment of his mental health.”
Now, not so much.
West gave Smith the boot in August and showed how petty he was by blocking Smith on Instagram. Smith has worked with the problematic rapper since 2016 and was one of the instrumental figures in the company’s success following the deal with adidas, which has since been terminated.
Despite losing his gig with YZY, Smith remains optimistic about his future, saying on the website, “I’m in a very happy place with it all. I will certainly be a priceless asset to whoever I work with next. It’s all his loss and the result of his foolishness.”
Smith did reveal the reasoning for his termination, but, according to Fast Company, “reached a breaking point” afterword on the street said the “saved” rapper wanted to launch his own porn company but scrapped the idea.
Bruh.
Other Wild Allegations
Smith is just the latest former high-profile employee to drop some serious but wild allegations against the “Monster” crafter.
West’s former chief of staff and far-right figure Milo Yiannopoulos claimed in an affidavit that the Chicago rapper is addicted to nitrous oxide thanks to celebrity dentist Thomas Connelly, who got Ye hooked on the poisonous gas.
According to Yiannopoulos, West spends up to $50,000 per month on nitrous oxide and underwent scans proving that he has suffered permanent brain damage from his abuse of the poisonous gas.
Connelly has denied the allegations, but in a video he sent to troubled boxer Robert Garcia, he can be seen using an oxygen mask, so he’s making it hard to beat the allegations.
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Source: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty
As many sneakers are available these days, Nike, adidas, New Balance and even Asics are running the street scene, but can AND1 make the comeback that no one saw coming in 2024?
We’re not sure if that’s a viable goal for the brand that never really caught on in popularity, but that’s not keeping them from bringing back a “classic.” Sneaker News is reporting that AND1 plans on retroing their white and red “Tai Chi” colorway that Vince Carter wore when he won the NBA Slam Dunk contest in 2000. While that feat didn’t exactly put AND1 on the map, it was still a memorable moment for the company as they were just beginning to find their footing in the sneaker game at the time.
Now, 24 years later, AND1 feels it’s time to take everyone back and have re-released the “classic” silhouette right on time for the back-to-school shopping spree that parents are currently undertaking as their kids head back to the classroom in the finest attire they can afford.
Per Sneaker News:
The AND1 Tai Chi‘s time in the limelight was entirely by chance; just months prior, Vince negged his deal with PUMA before eventually signing with Nike to become the face of the Shox franchise. During that period of shoe purgatory, Vince rocked the Tai Chi from the upstart AND1 brand, a label that grew from indie movement to perhaps the most popular basketball imprint at the time. You can read the full story about Vince’s movements in the shoe industry here
The Tai Chi’s Vince Carter era may have been short-lived, but it’s unquestionably one of the most significant basketball shoes in history. Remembered for its bold two-toned color-blocking, the Tai Chi was worn by the likes of Stephon Marbury, Kevin Garnett, Jason Williams, and more compelling hoopers of the late 1990s/early 2000s.
We’re not gonna lie, if people don’t know the history of this sneaker, anyone rocking them out in the wild might get clowned. We all know kids are ruthless in the social media era. Just sayin’.
The AND1 Tai Chi’s are currently available on the AND1 website for a cool $130. Check out pics of the OG kicks below, and let us know if you’ll be picking up a pair for nostalgia sake in the comments section.
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Originally released in 1988, the Nike Air Jordan 3 is an iconic pair of sneakers, as they’re the ones Michael Jordan wore during his first MVP season as a shooting guard with the Chicago Bulls. And now, the sports apparel company has re-released them for a new generation of fans.
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Available for $200 on the Nike website, the Nike Air Jordan 3 Retro “cement grey” sneakers are lightweight and made for casual use, or for playing basketball on a hardwood or blacktop court, thanks to the shoes’ pronounced lines and classic silhouette. The sneakers drop on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT.
The sneaker uppers are made from a blend of high-quality leathers for durability and shape, and even have strips of textured elephant print leather running around their toe caps, the heels and on their lace loops for style and a bit of flair.
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Nike Air Jordan 11 Retro “Cement Grey”
In addition, the sneakers also feature a fire red Jumpman logo on each tongue and a black logo on each heel with the “Air” moniker underneath. The design and silhouette are classic, while the style of the sneakers are very late ’80s basketball — one of MJ’s most iconic shoes and eras. These Nike sneakers come in a summit white, cement grey, black and fire red colorway.
If you want more from Nike, the sports and fashion apparel company also dropped new Air Jordan 11 Retro Low “Diffused Blue,” as well as Air Jordan 6 Retro “Reverse Oreo” sneakers.
Priced at $200, the Nike Air Jordan 3 Retro “Cement Grey” sneakers come in men’s and women’s sizes and are available at nike.com starting on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. The shoes also come in Big Kids’, Little Kids’ and Baby/Toddlers’ sizes starting at $75.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
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Source: Brad Barket / Getty
There are more shake up’s at YZY headquarters. Kanye West has reportedly fired longtime footwear designer Steven Smith.
As reported by Nice Kicks the rapper has reportedly asked the veteran creative to exit from his company DONDA. This week Fast Magazine caught up with Smith and confirmed the rumors about his exit back in August. While Steve has historically been supportive of West throughout all of his ups and downs it seems his patience for YE has run out. “He’s lost his mind,” he said in an exclusive statement to the magazine. “The whole of Yeezy is circling the drain and this is just part of it. He has surrounded himself with toxic, C-grade losers.”
While Smith did not touch on any of the recent Kanye happenings including wanting to launch his own adult content channel or is possibly addicted to nitrous oxide he did make it clear he is excited about his next chapter. “I’m in a very happy place with it all,” Smith reveals. “I will certainly be a priceless asset to whoever I work with next. It’s all his loss and the result of his foolishness.”
Steven Smith is a pioneer in the sneaker industry for his work on several iconic releases including the Reebok Instapump Fury, the New Balance 574 and the Yeezy Boost 700. YE has yet to publicly comment on the matter. Back in May Milo Yiannopoulos resigned as Chief of Staff for YZY.
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Source: Supreme / Supreme
For the past few years the Supreme x Air Force 1 Low‘s have been a hot commodity in the sneaker world as they tend to sell out as soon as they restock on the streetwear brand’s website. But will their new Mid’s experience the same amount of hype as the Low’s?
Source: Supreme / Supreme
On Thursday (August 20), Supreme will be dropping their new Air Force 1 Mid’s in both the all-black and all-white color ways with the box logo on the heels. Though Air Force 1 Mid’s haven’t been thee most popular Nike silhouette in, well, decades probably, adding that little Supreme logo on the side may actually be enough to move some merchandise as hype beasts tend to flock to damn near anything that the legendary street brand releases out in these streets.
Per Supreme, the shoe is outfitted with a “full-grain leather upper with perforated leather toe panel, DURAPLUSH lining, co-branded footbed, lace lock, tongue label, embroidered logos at eyestay and debossed printed logo at side.”
If you’re hoping to resell these for a profit, we’d advise against copping these as they’re almost sure to brick. These kicks really are for the heads who grew up loving the Air Force 1 Mid’s and were probably clowned by their friends for doing so. Let them rock, b.
Check out pics of the Supreme x Air Force 1 Mid’s and let us know if you’ll actually be trying to cop a pair when they drop in the comments section below.
Source: Supreme / Supreme
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Source: @upscalecracc / Instagram
Earlier this summer, the sneaker community mourned the loss of well-known sneaker reseller. Javier Osorio-Mejia aka Upscale Cracc was shot and killed in an apparent robbery attempt in Soho this past June.
Now, two months after the tragic event, police have made an arrest in connection to the shooting. Fox 5 New York is reporting that 35-year-old Jayquan Straker was taken into custody and charged with murder, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon. Though no motive has been revealed for the June 25 killing, many people assume it was a robbery gone wrong as Mejia was shot in the right leg three times, which ultimately led to his passing.
Fox 5 New York reports:
Sources told FOX 5 NY’s Lisa Evers that Straker, who’s accused of killing Osorio-Mejia, left behind his cash and his brand new Range Rover.
Osorio-Mejia was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he died.
Straker then fled in a black SUV, police said.
NYPD detectives and crime scene investigators spent many hours going over the scene in search of clues. Sources told FOX 5 NY’s Lisa Evers significant ballistic evidence was recovered from the apparent ambush.
Detectives also recovered cash that was left on the ground, along with the victim’s trademark lime green Nike sneakers.
Known for selling sneakers to hard-to-find sneakers to celebrities, Upscale Cracc was loved and considered a stand-up guy by those who knew him best.
Now that his killer has been arrested, maybe we’ll learn what led to the shooting and whether or not it was a set-up or a robbery gone awry.
What do y’all think of the this situation? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: CHRIS BERNACCHI / Getty
The sneaker reselling game is not be what it used to be just a few years back (everything is bricking these days), but that didn’t stop one man from stealing some very exclusive sneakers from an NBA legend earlier this month in hopes of cashing out bigly.
According to ESPN, a man decided to go for the gusto and broke into the $4.25 million dollar Memphis home of Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and rolled out with boxes of limited edition Nike sneakers that are said to be rare “Friends and Family” pairs and even 1-of-1’s that could fetch thousands of dollars on the resale market. Luckily police were able to apprehend the suspect this past Thursday (Aug. 22) and announced that 42-year-old Ronald James had been booked and charged with theft of property.
Looking more like January 6th insurrectionist than your everyday sneaker head, James was caught on surveillance video rolling up to Penny’s home with a shopping cart and leaving with boxes stacked up higher than his own height. After police released Jame’s picture which was captured on the surveillance cameras, he was subsequently arrested and booked for the robbery.
ESPN reports:
Hardaway told Memphis TV station WREG this week that 26 pairs of “one-of-kind” Foamposite shoes had been taken from his home.
Nike’s Foamposite line, made famous by Hardaway when he starred for the Orlando Magic in the 1990s, is still popular today. Hardaway and Nike still have a lucrative partnership years after the former NBA All-Star last played in the league.
Last year, Nike released the Nike Air Max Penny 1 Lester Middle School editions to honor Hardaway’s Memphis middle school.
It’s unclear when James will have his first court appearance related to the theft, and his bond has not been set. Police did not say whether they had retrieved the merchandise.
While we don’t know if the man was able to flip the sneakers before his arrest or if they’ve been recovered, one has to wonder how he knew which sneakers to go for and how it was so easy for him to pull off the heist. Penny might have a turncoat in his inner circle. Just sayin.’
What do y’all think of this latest sneaker heist in Memphis? Was it an inside job or did the tattooed white man just know his sneakers? Let us know in the comments section below.