Adidas is taking legal action against sneaker media company Sole Retriever after the outlet leaked unreleased designs of Anthony Edwards and Donovan Mitchell’s signature shoes.
Adidas says that Sole Retriever attempted to extort them for preferential treatment by threatening to release the images nearly a year before release. Meanwhile, Sole Retriever founder Harris Monoson says his company was acting within its first amendment rights.
Sneaker and culture writer Ian Stonebrook joins Front Office Sports to explain the significance of this moment and what precedent could be set as other shoe brands are watching closely for a resolution.