Lil Nas X's 'Satan Shoes' will be recalled in settled lawsuit with Nike
Lil Nas X's infamous "Satan Shoes," released in collaboration with art brand MSCHF, will be voluntarily recalled as part of a settlement with Nike.
Nike and MSCHF settled for an undisclosed amount on Thursday. As part of the settlement, MSCHF will buy back any "Satan Shoes" and its 2019 "Jesus Shoes" — featuring a gold crucifix charm and holy water in its midsoles — for their original retail prices in order "to remove them from circulation." The "Jesus Shoes" originally retailed for $1,425, and the "Satan Shoes" originally retailed for $1,018.
The satanic collection of Nike Air Max '97 sneakers, which were modified with red and black accents, an inverted cross, and a "drop of human blood," were released with Lil Nas X's similarly controversial music video for "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)." The music video, abundant with Biblical imagery, enraged conservatives with its queer retelling of humanity's fall from grace as Lil Nas X's character took his banishment to hell in stride.
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Nike filed a trademark infringement lawsuit on March 29, and a judge granted the company a temporary restraining order on April 1 that to stop MSCHF from fulfilling orders. Before the restraining order, MSCHF said it shipped at least 200 of the 666 pairs manufactured.
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"If any purchasers were confused, or if they otherwise want to return their shoes, they may do so for a full refund," Nike said in a statement. "Purchasers who choose not to return their shoes and later encounter a product issue, defect, or health concern should contact MSCHF, not Nike. The parties are pleased to put this dispute behind them."
MSCHF has not put out a statement regarding the settlement. David Bernstein, a lawyer at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP representing MSCHF, said the parties are "thrilled with the way this case has been resolved."
Per MarketWatch, Bernstein said the shoes "were never about making money."
"MSCHF made these shoes to make a point about how crazy collaboration culture has become," Bernstein said. He added that the collection "appeared to be in collaboration with Satan."
Whether any of the shoes will be actually returned to MSCHF remains unlikely — they're being listed on eBay for as much as $6,666.66.
