Nike files lawsuit against Lil Nas X's controversial Satan Shoes
Los Angeles, California - Nike has filed a lawsuit against the company that created the viral Satan Shoes in collaboration with Lil Nas X, claiming the stunt is damaging to its brand.
The Old Town Road star worked with MSCHF to release his "Satan Shoes" on Monday.
The sneakers are decorated with a pentagram, an inverted cross, and a reference to Luke 10:18, which is a Bible verse about Satan's fall from heaven.
Its real kicker, however, is a drop of human blood inside the sole, apparently drawn from members of the MSCHF team.
All 666 pairs of the controversial Nikes, each selling for the hefty price of $1,018, sold out almost immediately after they were released on Monday.
Even though Nike announced it had nothing to do with the devilish shoes, many conservative outlets and personalities slammed the giant, with some even calling for a boycott of the brand.
"In the short time since the announcement of the Satan Shoes, Nike has suffered significant harm to its goodwill, including among consumers who believe that Nike is endorsing satanism," Nike has now claimed in the lawsuit, according to BuzzFeed News.
The lawsuit, which doesn't name Lil Nas X as a defendant, is about "setting the record straight" when it comes to the use of Nike's distinctive logo.
Nike cites call for boycotts in lawsuit
In the filing, the sportswear company claims that "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."
Meanwhile, Lil Nas X responded to the conservative outcry with memes on Twitter and a mock-apology video.
The rapper also tweeted about the news with a short clip from SpongeBob SquarePants, in which Squidward says: "I was just kidding. You guys know I was just kidding, right?"
Many of his supporters praised the rapper for his hilarious Twitter comebacks.
Lil Nas X mocks his critics on Twitter
The release of the Satan Shoes comes after the debut of Lil Nas X's latest single, Montero (Call Me By Your Name). In its viral music video, Lil Nas X descends into hell and gives the devil a sexy lap dance.
Cover photo: YouTube/Lil Nas X