What’s good, family! I already know what we’re talking about today. Talk about blowing a bag, fam. Joe West’s fumble will go down in history as one of the most egregious fumbles of all-time. Mark Sanchez butt-fumble levels of egregious.
He lost his plug and his mom’s cushy VP job all in one fell swoop. I just can’t wrap my head around why…anyone would do this? There was always so much risk. It can’t just be for clout. I refuse to believe that.
What do we think about this, fam? Where do we stand? I’m still just in awe. Lemme know how you’re feeling.
The author was on Clubhouse the other night and said it’s because he’s a magazine writer and saves key info until the end as a result. I agree though, it should have been higher. Maybe he didn’t understand the importance.
I know someone who's spouse is VERY high up at Nike. She never gets hooked up with anything. They get a discount in the employee store. Phil Knight was at their wedding put it that way. Thats why that story is crazy too me
Yeah, she would tell me she couldnt even get Jordans for a discount and how strict they were about everything. They are in Portland etc and know everyone in Nike. For sure more to that story. Im sure Nike is embarrased/pissed.
If there's one thing I've learned working in PR, and I'm sure you know this better than I do, Mike, it's that reporters aren't out here giving away free clout, even if they like your business. I'm sure Joe wanted the publicity to bring new members into his cook group, but reporters are always going to do their due diligence. To think you could get a full Bloomberg profile without the reporter digging up a massive familial conflict of interest that you didn't even attempt to hide (showing credit card statements in your mom's name, etc.) is mind-boggling.
It's WILD, dude. Just wild. And then to just try and leave it at "yeah, she's my mom but she doesn't give me any info" and then cut off all contact? Yeah, he was always toast LOL.
What's interesting to me is, how much does Nike benefit off of the resale market? There is no direct monetary gain, but this is very helpful for the brand.
I've always seen the resale market is another form of promotion for them. They limit these shoes, allow them to build hype as their prices online rise. From there, you can push people to similar, but cheaper, products and silhouettes.
I really don't think you can under estimate the average person's desire to be interviewed and profiled. Even if they're not getting a huge amount of clout, we love to have our opinions heard and doubly so if they get heard and validated. Would he do it again knowing his mom lost her job? Probably not, but would he do it again knowing his mom had a 50/50 chance of losing her job? I'd say yes. Human ego is a real motherfucker and we do stupid stuff all the time to appease it
Ryan Holiday's book title says it all "Ego is the Enemy." Part of it is he's a 19 year old kid and... I mean how much dumb shit were you doing at that age, right?
I think what it shows, very clearly, is just how little Nike cares about where they get their bread so long as they get it. Again, I worked in Cloud computing so anyone who says you can simply get rid of bots is lying to you- if there is incentive someone will always find a way to tilt the scales. But Nike can do a lot more and make people like that work much harder. Clearly they don't seem to have any inclination to do it.
The article shows just how much the game has changed and how it's never going back. It see the major players show just how little they care about that or want to do anything to get the shoes to the people that love them and are just everyday... man, it hurts.
Honestly, that wasn't surprising at all to me. I feel like they may address it further later down the line. I know there are some employees up there who are not happy about this at all.
Since it's clear who's using bots from their social posts, why doesn't Nike go after them directly? it's like back in the day if you were showing off all the movies you bootlegged
Just more evidence that we need more transparency and oversight into where the sneakers go. There's no way to know what was happening because we never know. But it does look bad.
To be totally honest, I feel zero sympathy for joe. Being greedy is what caused his demise. If anything I feel a little sorry for the mom who lost her job, especially when in a pandemic jobs are getting hard to come by. But I'm not shocked by this at all, we all know people who are suspected to have a Nike plug. There are many more people like him and they will probably be more low-key about it now.
I can't be clear enough -- anyone who stopped y'all from buying Off White or Trophy Room Js is a hero. Those shoes are ugly, and he performed a community service. We need more westcoastjoe's in the world.
He's kind of a joke. All of that just to flex in a poorly written piece AND have him mom lose her job?? I'm kind of happy he did it tho. It put on display to the greater world, a lot of the issues sneakerheads face (backdooring, bots, etc.) and the fact that she worked for Nike made it all come full circle. I'm in no way surprised because ya know – privilege, but I am interested to see how Nike moves after this. L's however will still be flowing on the SNKRS app lol
Much different situations of course, but the BW article reminds me of when Frank Lucas showed up to the Muhammad Ali fight wearing a full-length chinchilla coat with the matching hat. He was on everyone’s radar after that and that’s when people really started asking questions. Now, I wonder if the Herberts will snitch on anyone else like Lucas did 🐀
I saw somewhere that his dad actually registered the LLC and transferred it to the kid, so the whole family knew and was in on this. I just don't understand how his mom didn't stop him. She had to know that was going to get her in trouble!
I also saw somewhere that she stepped down not over the embarrassment or violation of policies, but because he was purchasing other brands with her credit cards, specifically Yeezy. SMFH
The article seemed sort of mundane and like the same ol story so I skipped it...until I saw you mention the situation in the letter lol. Word to the wise...don't talk to a reporter unless you have a good reason to!
So, after reading the FTW article by a certain Mike D. Sykes, II I am now caught up on events and GOOD LORD. The most astonishing thing here is how sloppy he was, some people really know nothing about subtlety and being humble.
you wouldn't believe what people send directly to reporters. Also, people don't understand that part of reporting is verifying your source? So if you're profiling someone or they give you info, you check them out to see who they are and you accidentally stumble across their DeviantArt page that their friends don't know about but is registered to their same email address.
Yes but now his mom, a valuable resource of information and income, is cut out. At least from Nike. It doesn't make sense to me to risk her position just for a little bit of notoriety. And it's not like this dude didn't have a following before.
My favorite part in all of this is how deeply the article buried the lead lmao.
The author was on Clubhouse the other night and said it’s because he’s a magazine writer and saves key info until the end as a result. I agree though, it should have been higher. Maybe he didn’t understand the importance.
I know someone who's spouse is VERY high up at Nike. She never gets hooked up with anything. They get a discount in the employee store. Phil Knight was at their wedding put it that way. Thats why that story is crazy too me
That makes this even MORE insane.
Yeah, she would tell me she couldnt even get Jordans for a discount and how strict they were about everything. They are in Portland etc and know everyone in Nike. For sure more to that story. Im sure Nike is embarrased/pissed.
If there's one thing I've learned working in PR, and I'm sure you know this better than I do, Mike, it's that reporters aren't out here giving away free clout, even if they like your business. I'm sure Joe wanted the publicity to bring new members into his cook group, but reporters are always going to do their due diligence. To think you could get a full Bloomberg profile without the reporter digging up a massive familial conflict of interest that you didn't even attempt to hide (showing credit card statements in your mom's name, etc.) is mind-boggling.
It's WILD, dude. Just wild. And then to just try and leave it at "yeah, she's my mom but she doesn't give me any info" and then cut off all contact? Yeah, he was always toast LOL.
Genuinely want to know what was going through his mind
What's interesting to me is, how much does Nike benefit off of the resale market? There is no direct monetary gain, but this is very helpful for the brand.
I've always seen the resale market is another form of promotion for them. They limit these shoes, allow them to build hype as their prices online rise. From there, you can push people to similar, but cheaper, products and silhouettes.
Blade said it best, "Some mother fu***rs are always trying to ice skate uphill.”
Bahahahahaha! Winning comment of the week right here.
I really don't think you can under estimate the average person's desire to be interviewed and profiled. Even if they're not getting a huge amount of clout, we love to have our opinions heard and doubly so if they get heard and validated. Would he do it again knowing his mom lost her job? Probably not, but would he do it again knowing his mom had a 50/50 chance of losing her job? I'd say yes. Human ego is a real motherfucker and we do stupid stuff all the time to appease it
Ryan Holiday's book title says it all "Ego is the Enemy." Part of it is he's a 19 year old kid and... I mean how much dumb shit were you doing at that age, right?
I think what it shows, very clearly, is just how little Nike cares about where they get their bread so long as they get it. Again, I worked in Cloud computing so anyone who says you can simply get rid of bots is lying to you- if there is incentive someone will always find a way to tilt the scales. But Nike can do a lot more and make people like that work much harder. Clearly they don't seem to have any inclination to do it.
The article shows just how much the game has changed and how it's never going back. It see the major players show just how little they care about that or want to do anything to get the shoes to the people that love them and are just everyday... man, it hurts.
Dude couldn’t help but pat himself on the back. Classic case of hubris messing up everything.
It is crazy. I am still in shock and more surprise by Nike lack of responsibility or at least issuing a public statement in regards to the incident.
Honestly, that wasn't surprising at all to me. I feel like they may address it further later down the line. I know there are some employees up there who are not happy about this at all.
Since it's clear who's using bots from their social posts, why doesn't Nike go after them directly? it's like back in the day if you were showing off all the movies you bootlegged
Honestly, that's a lot of policing to do. Unless you just go after the bigger ones. And then, on top of that, I just don't think they care to lol.
go after the big fish and cease and desist the little ones maybe
It might be good PR to clamp down on cheats and service the consumer tho
Just more evidence that we need more transparency and oversight into where the sneakers go. There's no way to know what was happening because we never know. But it does look bad.
To be totally honest, I feel zero sympathy for joe. Being greedy is what caused his demise. If anything I feel a little sorry for the mom who lost her job, especially when in a pandemic jobs are getting hard to come by. But I'm not shocked by this at all, we all know people who are suspected to have a Nike plug. There are many more people like him and they will probably be more low-key about it now.
Just crazy! I’d kill my kid! LOL
MAN WHAT?!?! Buddy bet not NEVA show up to Thanksgiving again. LOL
I can't be clear enough -- anyone who stopped y'all from buying Off White or Trophy Room Js is a hero. Those shoes are ugly, and he performed a community service. We need more westcoastjoe's in the world.
He's kind of a joke. All of that just to flex in a poorly written piece AND have him mom lose her job?? I'm kind of happy he did it tho. It put on display to the greater world, a lot of the issues sneakerheads face (backdooring, bots, etc.) and the fact that she worked for Nike made it all come full circle. I'm in no way surprised because ya know – privilege, but I am interested to see how Nike moves after this. L's however will still be flowing on the SNKRS app lol
his*
Much different situations of course, but the BW article reminds me of when Frank Lucas showed up to the Muhammad Ali fight wearing a full-length chinchilla coat with the matching hat. He was on everyone’s radar after that and that’s when people really started asking questions. Now, I wonder if the Herberts will snitch on anyone else like Lucas did 🐀
I saw somewhere that his dad actually registered the LLC and transferred it to the kid, so the whole family knew and was in on this. I just don't understand how his mom didn't stop him. She had to know that was going to get her in trouble!
I also saw somewhere that she stepped down not over the embarrassment or violation of policies, but because he was purchasing other brands with her credit cards, specifically Yeezy. SMFH
all im saying is if his mom was greek, wooooo lord
The article seemed sort of mundane and like the same ol story so I skipped it...until I saw you mention the situation in the letter lol. Word to the wise...don't talk to a reporter unless you have a good reason to!
I have absolutely no idea what the fuck is going on here so
So, after reading the FTW article by a certain Mike D. Sykes, II I am now caught up on events and GOOD LORD. The most astonishing thing here is how sloppy he was, some people really know nothing about subtlety and being humble.
LMAO George, you are the greatest. This is just a super wild situation. I have to be honest — it's hilarious to me lol
yeah man so damn funny lmao. Dude sent his Amex statement . Who does that?
im sorry his moms Amex statement lol
LMAO right
you wouldn't believe what people send directly to reporters. Also, people don't understand that part of reporting is verifying your source? So if you're profiling someone or they give you info, you check them out to see who they are and you accidentally stumble across their DeviantArt page that their friends don't know about but is registered to their same email address.
It happens a lot.
He’s well known now and many of his customers are probably impressed with his fame, not mad at him and his mom.
Yes but now his mom, a valuable resource of information and income, is cut out. At least from Nike. It doesn't make sense to me to risk her position just for a little bit of notoriety. And it's not like this dude didn't have a following before.
Maybe she’s found a more lucrative career. All it takes is one friend.