NIKE: A MAJOR THREAT

Nike Skateboarding, the youth-oriented and supposedly "plugged-in" branch of the sneaker empire has taken its latest branding campaign a bit too far. Hoping to capitalize on the iconic album imagery of long-defunct D.C.-based punk legends Minor Threat, the offending sneaker pimps have tarnished their strategically-engineered street cred. Here's Pitchfork Media's telling comparison photo.


Pictured: Nike's supposed "homage" to Minor Threat. And I thought the image wasn't available online anymore. I found it with ease.

The company did issue a public apology and stated that all its "Major Threat" promotional materials would be pulled immediately. However, it seems that Nike has shown its hand. It will be interesting to see if there is any additional backlash. Or will the legions of hipsters and sneaker fiends hungry for "artist edition" and classic reissue Nikes gloss over this blatant disregard for tact--continuing to line the pockets of Nike's founder Phil Knight.