Skateboarder Tyshawn Jones Hits Supreme With $26M Lawsuit

For years, Tyshawn Jones lived the dream of being a professional skateboarder sponsored by Supreme until the relationship ended abruptly, and a $25 million lawsuit followed closely behind. Now 26, Jones has been sponsored by Supreme since the age of 11 before the brand pulled the rug from under him to balance its books ahead of last September’s sale to eyewear brand Essilor Luxottica. Supreme claims that the deal, which paid Jones $1 million a year, was terminated after he appeared in campaigns for a Marc Jacobs x NIGO collaboration in August, saying it made the professional relationship “incurable.”

Love Cassius Life? Get more! Join the Cassius Life Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Subscribe

We care about your data. See our privacy policy.

However, Jones argues that he’s worked with other big brands during his Supreme tenure —  like Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co.— and he spoke with the Supreme executives before accepting the modeling gig, and they okayed it.  “We don’t want to get in your way; so long as you’re not doing anything for another skate[boarding] brand, or a skateboarding team, we don’t have a problem with it, and don’t want to stand in the way of you making money,” read the email Jones says he received, according to Highsnobiety.  Jones’ lawsuit suggests the breach of contract claim was just used as an excuse to free up more funds before Supreme’s sale from VF Corporation, adding that he was “wrongfully deprived of the value of shares he held in Supreme, the full value of which could only be realized if he was employed at the time the new acquisition closed.” It goes beyond the contract, as Jones alleges that Supreme founder James Jebbia badmouthed him to other brands, telling execs they kicked him off the skate team because he breached the contract.  In a statement to the NY Post, Jones felt it was his duty to speak on how he was wronged, no matter how integral Supreme has been in molding several generations of skate culture. “I am saddened it has come to this, but I have a duty to myself and my career, and feel a responsibility to the next generation of skateboarders to stand up for what is right,” he said. “Supreme’s success has been largely shaped by the contributions of young talent, and I believe those contributions deserve to be respected.” In addition to the $25 million he’s seeking in damages, he wants the $1.25 million remaining on his contract. See how social media is reacting to the suit below.  

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.