In this episode, I talk about layoffs at Nike, their stock at a 10-year low, and who's to blame for their problems? What's going on at Complex and Sneaker Media companies? I also take a look at sneaker companies getting into bed with gambling / prediction markets. Plus a lot more!Timestamps00:00 - Intro03:52 - On Feet05:01 - Pickups10:18 - Misses13:06 - Sockjig Sneaker Media Insider13:30 - What's Going on at Complex?17:40 - Sneaker Gambling: StockX and Kalshi21:58 - Sneaker Gambling: Complex Bets23:27 - RIP Sole Collector24:30 - Place Your Bet on Who Wins Sneaker of the Year27:01 - Alleged Rug Puller and Gimmick Infringer Sneaker News Has an Ugly Bape Collab36:58 - Who's to Blame for Nike's Problems?41:33 - Nike Stock at 10 Year Low42:39 - Brian Windhorst, Signature Athletes and Media Literacy44:59 - Bad Leadership, Poor Corporate Strategy46:05 - DTC Opened the Door for Competitors49:32 - Nike Lost the Chinese Consumer51:35 - What are the Defining Products of the Elliott Hill Era?

In this episode, I cover the lawsuit adidas filed against Sole Retriever alleging stolen proprietary information and extortion. I also talk about Off-White hoodies at Costco and the re-release of the VAA Jordan 1s and how they could be connected. I also discuss Frank Cooke's no longer posting first looks on his IG stories. Plus a lot more!Timestamps00:00 Intro01:57 On Feet04:12 Pickups 07:27 Recent Releases08:48 VAA Jordan 1s and the Inevitability of EQL Raffles 11:37 Hang Out With Your Wang Out Piggy Runner12:46 Whitaker Group Adidas and Nike Collabs16:24 Legacy: Off White at Costco and VAA AJ1s21:18 Let Frank Cooke Cook 27:21 Sole Retriever Sued by adidas28:16 Disclaimers and Disclosures30:14 What's in the Lawsuit31:02 Hey Gang Email36:59 There Are No Feelings in the Corporate World39:04 Is this Email AI Generated?40:16 Demonstrating the Threat was Real, Allegedly 42:13 Posting CAD Images45:16 Sole Retriever Statement48:13 The Email Tells You a Lot 49:56 What Did They Expect?53:10 A Pattern?54:29 Company Ending Event?

In this episode, we talk to the most prolific Kith hater Doug aka MagnumDong1992 from Twitter about his tweets, and how it came to be that Ronnie Fieg gifted him a pair of rare sample Kith Air Force 1s in his size.Later it was revealed that Doug sold this pair, so in an added epilogue, we talk to Doug again and talk about why he sold the pair and the blowback that he got.This episode was originally recorded on February 7, 2026. The epilogue was recorded February 11, 2026.Timestamps:00:00 Haters & Enemies, not Kith & Kin02:31 Interview with Doug03:23 Twitter Profile Pic04:43 44 Year Old White Guy05:16 Terrorizing the TL11:03 Hating on Kith29:48 Ronnie Fieg Sends His Biggest Hater a Kith Nike AF1 Sample48:14 Rest in Peace Dan McQuade58:26 Outro58:57 EpilogueAlso available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wYh0MeUqjIQ

In this episode, I talk about the discussions and pushback about Complex’s Sneaker of the Year list. I’m also joined by Hass from My First Kicks to discuss what it’s like attending ComplexCon and does going to ComplexCon count as being outside? Later we talk about his sneaker podcast journey, networking and becoming undeniable.Listen to My First KicksTwitter: https://x.com/MyFirstKicksPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MyFirstKicksPodTimestamps00:00 - Intro01:13 - My Thoughts on Complex's Sneaker of the Year List03:10 - A Sneaker Has to Resell or Be Notable to Make the List05:12 - Do They Reward Friends? Probably Not05:54 - Is There Payola? Or Just Favours?08:37 - Who Really Makes the List? 10:05 - Defensive of the List: It's Really Hard13:21 - That's ShowBiz!15:28 - What's It Like Attending ComplexCon?35:05 - Does Going to ComplexCon Count as Being Outside?40:26 - Sneaker of the Year Panel49:24 - Making My First Kicks Undeniable Episode also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YLzQkYZbpOs

In this episode, I talk about Cool Kicks, train robberies and stolen sneakers (allegedly) and ask why did they allegedly have stolen sneakers when it was obvious for the last 2 years that the feds were closing in? I also examine why the Jordan 11 was protected for so long. I also talk about content creators feuding with Complex and share the lessons I've learned if you follow this path. Plus news, recent releases and a ton more on this special radio edition of The Sockjig Sneaker Podcast.00:00 - Intro02:51 - Hired Goons Inc: We'll Settle Your Online Beefs For You03:48 - Mr. Brightside - Infinite Archives Jordan 17 Look Like Yellow Teeth05:05 - Adidas Jellyfish Looks like Toddler Shoes in Small Sizes and Boat Anchors in Large Sizes07:32 - Did You Celebrate Banned Day?08:20 - Doernbecher Freestyle Collection Cannot Be Criticized Without Looking Like an Asshole09:36 - Salehe Turned Down Nike to Make More Money Selling Sponge Bob Sneakers12:46 - Tyshawn Jones and Supreme Lawsuit13:58 - Mowalola Jordan Collab: Why?16:03 - Sagman, Bennett, Robbins, Oppenheim & Taft Injury Lawyers16:42 - YouTube Comments Upset with New Complex Host20:14 - Complex SOTY Panel and Why Feuding with Complex is Not Worth It24:46 - Virgil Abloh The Codes Exhibit28:47 - Why Jordan 11s Were Protected For So Long37:49 - Sagman, Bennett, Robbins, Oppenheim and Taft Sneaker Law Firm38:30 - Cool Kicks and The Sneaker Train Robbery 47:14 - Outro

In this episode, I talk about how a there's a shift happening in companies where they are focusing more and more on the affluent portion of their customer base. There's been a cultural shift in recent years and now it's happening in many industries, including sneakers.I also cover the Tom Sachs Mars Yard release and how Sachs may have used his bullying superpowers on Nike. Plus a ton more:00:00 - Cold Open00:13 - Intro03:18 - On Feet: Jordan 1 Lows03:54 - Pickups: CPFM Swamp Sponge Gold04:51 - CPFM Sneakers: Wear Right Away05:15 - Pickups: Adidas x Brain Dead x Brody King06:35 - Skips: Paying Resell for Undefeated 4s07:19 - Supreme Dunk SBs: Too Many Generic Collabs Lately08:26 - HAL Studios / HSDT and an Unnecessary Rebrand10:01 - Ja 3 for the Children11:15 - Yu-Gi-Oh Air Max 95: Not Available For Preorder12:55 - Tomo Asics Gel Cumulus 16: Adult Men Made a Sneaker About Mood Rings15:28 - Vans Souvenirs a Future GR?16:27 - Grazie: Vans x Mattias Gollin17:52 - SoleFly Jordan 3: Rollout of the Year?21:19 - Costco Kirkland Dunk SB and the Rise of Dad Culture24:53 - Nike Settles Lawsuit with StockX, No Longer Cares About Authentication26:09  - Nike Suing Retailers Over Unpaid Bills28:22 - Market Has No Aura So Chinatown Market Wants Its Name Back30:47 - Ann Freeman Named President of Foot Locker North America34:53 - GOAT Shutting Down Facilities in UK and Asia: US De Minimus to Blame37:26 - Tom Sachs Used His Bullying Superpowers on Nike49:51 - Sachs on Complex and the Loser Shoe52:38 - SSense Files For Bankruptcy Protection55:37 - The End of Big Multi-Brand Retail is Looming56:55 - Give People a Reason to Visit Your Store58:31 - Brands with Two Tiers of Customers 1:01:30 - A Shift to the Affluent in Many Industries1:02:39 - Riyadh Season1:04:43 - Nike Shifting to a Two Tier System1:05:27 - GR Sneaker of the Year Will Always be an Affordable Sneaker1:07:26 - Who are Nike's Affluent Customers? Runners and Sneakerheads1:10:11 - A Bespoke Only Nike 21 Mercer Would Do Well Today1:12:02 - A Shift in CultureAlso available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gPakEPG-JggCover art originally by Jeffrey Deitch, digitally altered by me for entertainment purposes only.

In this episode, I recap the recent Undefeated 4 that heavily featured EQL. I also recap the Awake 5 release and talk through some of the conspiracy theories about numbered pairs and backdooring. I also do a deep dive into the Anatomy of a Sneaker Scam using the recent Awake 5 FNF link scam as the example. Finally I discuss my part in a heated Twitter Space about this scam. Timestamps00:00 - Intro04:31 - On Feet05:38 - Pickups: None, Misses: A Lot09:28 - Recent Releases09:41 - Vans Stimmy10:43 - Cheap YZY Slides11:35 - Delta Airlines AF112:43 - Air Max 100014:03 - Upcoming Releases: Kith x adidas x Clarks14:48 - Yu-Gi-Oh! Air Max 95, a Worthwhile Collab16:31 - JaeTips x StockX Popup18:59 - Tom Sachs and the Aesthetics of Discipline23:22 - Undefeated 4 Release Recap35:11 - What if a Canadian Got Scammed for an Awake 5 FNF Link?37:32 - Awake Jordan 5 Release40:54 - Anatomy of a Sneaker Scam41:41 - The Setup47:09 - The Bait48:27 - The Hook52:54 - The Aftermath54:50 - Twitter Spaces01:11:54 - Statement from Sneaker Phetish Kari01:16:09 - Outro

In this episode, I talk about if the Tom Sachs Mars Yard 3.0 in-app challenge release was made exclusively for the unemployed. I also talk a lot about recent sneaker releases and give an update on 2JsKicks having champagne wishes and caviar dreams at Nobu. I also warn sneakerheads to be wary whenever a company declares itself a “sneaker culture company”. Finally I talk about some recent sneaker content creator blues, and if you’ve been providing enough value for the brands lately (no, you have not, straighten up will ya). A lot of show, a lot of fun, all killer, no filler!New socks are also available in very limited quantities: https://shop.sockjig.com/Timestamps00:00 Intro02:41 New Sockjig Socks Available Now04:17 On Feet: Off White Presto05:32 Pickups: adidas Orion Terry Fox 45th Anniversary07:23 Patta Air Max 90 Waves07:44 JJJJound Asics Gel Quantum 36008:20 JJJJound Puma Mostro09:07 AMM AF1 & AM9510:48 Levi's Air Max 95s Release Recap14:13 Who Decides War Jordan Flight Court15:28 Air Jordan 4016:45 Paris Fashion Week: JFG 200017:16 Get Clint to Debut Your Sneaker17:39 Does a Kids of Immigrants FNF Sneaker Make Sense?19:30 Adidas Jellyfish20:52 Clipse Sambas23:13 Kith New Balance 204L23:50 Abc x Fantastic Four x Puma27:50 Premium Goods Air Max 1 for the NYC Mayor29:15 Tom Sachs is Keeping The Mars Yard Lore Intact37:47 TwoJsKicks Update40:11 Brendan Dunne to StockX47:41 Sneaker Content Creator Blues53:55 Outro

In this episode, I try and break down what’s going on at Urban Necessities with Two J's Kicks and Shoe Surgeon? Shoe Surgeon business entity owns Urban Necessities, and pushed Two J's out, but still has him on the hook for business and tax debts. Allegedly. How could have Two J's Kicks signed such a bad deal? What else could be going on? And how Nike settling their lawsuit with Shoe Surgeon Inc is probably a big driver of this all collapsing.I also discuss Brendan Dunne leaving Complex and how that affects Complex going forward. Finally I answer listener questions for the remainder of the show. There's a whole lot more, a fun show as always so check it out!Timestamps00:00 Intro01:41 On Feet and Pickups02:24 Skips and Misses04:21 Better Gift Shop DN806:39 Hali and SGA Signature Sneakers08:59 Sneaker 360 Deals09:27 Urban Necessities Allegedly on the Brink of Bankruptcy10:31 Nike Settles Lawsuit with Shoe Surgeon Inc  13:51 Did Shoe Surgeon Dom Sign a 360 Deal Too?14:28 TwoJ's Kicks Signed a 360 Deal21:26 Surgeon Inc Responds22:23 Missing Pieces of the Puzzle23:47 Sneaker Rashomon29:31 Brendan Dunne Leaving Complex34:15 Tokyo 5s Releasing, Then Not Releasing, Then Releasing39:32 Listener Questions40:59 Why Aren't New Balance GRs as Good Quality as Their Collabs?46:12 Size 13 Takes48:18 What Makes a Shoe, Sneaker of the Year51:47 What Sneaker Grew on You After Release?53:42 New Balance 906058:40 Good Time to Buy Nike Stock?59:53 What Are Some Collabs Kith Won't Do?01:01:43 Do You Follow Any Non Sneaker Booms?01:03:35 Sneaker Releases with Bad Timing01:05:10 Why Didn't the Coral Studios Air Max 95 Ever Drop?01:06:53 Interesting Sneaker Raffle Stories01:08:51 Resellers Are To Blame01:11:27 What do North American Sneakerheads Think of European Sneakerheads?01:14:39 Horse/Ducks Question01:15:46 Dream Guests01:17:45 Wrestling Sneaker Collabs01:19:11 Who Would You Smack in Sneakers?

In this episode, I cover Dick’s Sporting Goods acquiring Foot Locker and how mergers and acquisitions usually lead to layoffs at the loser company. I talk about why NYC is so important for any sneaker brand that wants to generate energy. I also ask questions of Nike delayed releases of A’Ja One signature sneaker and Tourmaline Rodeo Dunk SB and how they probably have very boring answers, or very interesting ones that we’ll never hear. I also ask if Grandmas have 4 couches and cover the final UnheardOf Grandma’s Couch release and give 7 Suggestions for Future Grandma Themed Collabs. Plus a ton more!Timestamps00:00 - Intro03:04 - On Feet03:51 - Pickups05:44 - Air Max 95 Reverse Neon07:24 - Rejuven8 4 U08:18 - Bred 11 Low09:14 - Travis Bright Cactus / Leche Blue11:04 - UNC AJ1 Reimagined12:31 - Only in NY: Corteiz Honey Black Release17:00 - A'Ja One and Nike Basketball Design Language19:51 - Why Was the Tourmaline Rodeo Dunk SB Delayed?23:01 - UnheardOf Oink Army and Grandma's Couch Release29:24 - Seven Suggestions for Future Grandma Themed Collabs32:13 - Dirty White AF1 Meme Sneakers36:26 - Early Photos of Undefeated 4s All Look Fake38:10 - Nike x Hyperice Hyperboot42:17 - "Made in the Same Factory Bro"44:26 - Bred 1 Restocks: The Quest For More Money45:20 - SNKRS Link47:26 - Sneaker AI Slop Era is Here49:00 - JFG Puts Over Sneaker Twitter in Complex Interview51:52 - Dick's Sporting Goods Acquires Foot Locker01:00:16 - Outro