Judge Grants Nike's Request to Block Sale of Lil Nas X's Controversial Sneakers The controversy-courting Grammy winner's Satan Shoes reportedly contain a drop of blood from each member of the MSCHF collective.

By Justin Chan

A U.S. District Court in New York has granted Nike a temporary restraining order against a Brooklyn-based agency that had collaborated with artist Lil Nas X on a pair of controversial sneakers, CBS News reports.

The order prevents art collective MSCHF from continuing to sell a version of the Air Max 97s — otherwise known as the "Satan Shoes" — that were purportedly customized to contain one drop of human blood.

Related: Nike Sues Brand That Used Human Blood to Create 'Satan Shoes'

"Nike filed a trademark infringement and dilution complaint against MSCHF today related to the Satan Shoes," the sneaker and apparel company told CBS News yesterday. "We don't have any further details to share on pending legal matters. However, we can tell you we do not have a relationship with Lil Nas X or MSCHF. The Satan Shoes were produced without Nike's approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project."

Still, MSCHF argued that the restraining order would have no impact on the agency, saying that a majority of the 666 sneakers had already been shipped to customers. Nike's attorney cast doubts on that assertion, claiming MSCHF had hurt Nike's reputation by not disclosing that the two companies were not collaborators on the sneakers, which cost $1,018 a shoe. Consequently, Nike's lawyer added, some customers have boycotted Nike for its presumed ties to Satanism. The sneaker giant now wants MSCHF to stop all orders in transit.

In response, MSCHF told CBS News that Nike's case had no merit because the sneaker company did not similarly take action when the agency released a pair of "Jesus Shoes" — which were a pair of Air Max 97s that contained holy water. MSCHF's lawyer also said that the agency's customers were smart enough to know that the sneakers were not affiliated with Nike.

The "Satan Shoes" were released in conjunction with Lil Nas X's single "MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)." According to CBS News, the price is in reference to the Bible passage Luke 10:18, which says, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."

Even before this latest legal back-and-forth between Nike and MSCHF, the artist addressed all the criticismfrom conservative pundits. "I'll be honest all this backlash is putting an emotional toll on me," he tweeted on Monday. "I try to cover it with humor but it's getting hard. my anxiety is higher than ever and stream call me by your name on all platforms now!"

Justin Chan

Entrepreneur Staff

News Writer

Justin Chan is a news writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, he was a trending news editor at Verizon Media, where he covered entrepreneurship, lifestyle, pop culture, and tech. He was also an assistant web editor at Architectural Record, where he wrote on architecture, travel, and design. Chan has additionally written for Forbes, Reader's Digest, Time Out New YorkHuffPost, Complex, and Mic. He is a 2013 graduate of Columbia Journalism School, where he studied magazine journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @jchan1109.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Fundraising

4 Trends In Fundraising That Will Impact the Future of Philanthropy

Increasing the success of your nonprofit requires you to adapt to changes.

Health & Wellness

'Trust Your Instincts:' Dr. Drew Pinsky and Serial Investor Kim Perell Help One Entrepreneur Overcome Decision Fatigue

Get lessons in leadership and decision-making from renowned health expert Dr. Drew Pinsky and serial investor Kim Perell on this episode of Entrepreneur Therapy.

Business News

Amazon Tells Thousands of Employees to Relocate or Resign

Amazon says the move to bring teams together will make them more "effective."

Side Hustle

At Age 23, He Started a Side Hustle While on Welfare. It Led to a 7-Figure Business and a Stay on Richard Branson's Private Island.

Josh Turner launched a side project after he was fired — and it led to a lucrative business that gives back.

Science & Technology

Edit Photos Like a Pro With This Award-Winning AI Tool, $80 for Lifetime License

Cut freelance costs with this powerful photo editing bundle from Luminar Neo.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.