Pro-Skater Tyshawn Jones Sues Supreme for $26 Million, Claims Brand Destroyed His Career
According to court documents, pro-skater Tyshawn Jones has filed a lawsuit against streetwear giant Supreme for a whopping $26 million USD. The 26-year-old alleges that the brand terminated his multi-year contract as a “pretext for cost-cutting,” effectively ruining his young career and blacklisting him from other opportunities.
The complaint, filed on Monday, May 12 in Manhattan Supreme Court, accuses Supreme of defamation and breach of contract. Jones is seeking $25 million USD in damages, in addition to the $1.25 million USD he claims is still owed from his original contract with the brand.
The 41-page lawsuit reveals that Jones had been collaborating with Supreme since he was just 11 years old, but was suddenly cut off in September 2020, just before the brand was sold to eyewear parent company Luxottica. The reason given by Supreme was Jones’ choice to wear Marc Jacobs in a photoshoot in August 2024, which the brand deemed a breach of contract. However, Jones argues that he had previously modeled for other major brands like Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, and Tiffany & Co. without any objections from Supreme.
Jones claims that his termination was simply a way for Supreme to cut costs, and that the brand has been spreading false statements about him to other companies, effectively ruining his reputation and career. The lawsuit states, “Doubling down on their bad faith and willful breach, Supreme has widely disparaged Tyshawn as a liability, a risk – someone no brand would want to affiliate or work with.”
The suit also highlights the close relationship between Jones and Supreme, stating that “The name ‘Tyshawn’ and ‘Supreme’ go hand-in-hand, akin to the relationship shared by Nike and Michael ‘Air’ Jordan.”
In a statement to the New York Post, Jones expressed his disappointment in having to take legal action against Supreme, but felt it was necessary to stand up for himself and future skateboarders. He said, “Supreme’s success has been shaped in large part by the contributions of young talent, and I believe those contributions deserve to be respected.”
It remains to be seen how this legal battle will play out, but one thing is for sure – Tyshawn Jones is not backing down from holding Supreme accountable for their actions.
