Tyshawn Jones vs. Supreme: The Price of Exclusivity

Attorney Zak Kurtz of Sneaker Legal unpacks the legal fine print and where he thinks the $26 million dispute is headed.

Zakari “Zak” Kurtz is the founder of Sneaker & Streetwear Legal, a boutique firm that’s become a go-to for creatives, athletes, and entrepreneurs navigating the business side of sneaker and fashion culture. A pioneer in sneaker law, Zak has helped everyone from emerging designers to global brands protect and grow their ideas. Beyond the courtroom, he’s deeply tapped into sneaker culture, collecting, attending events, and joining the conversation on X and Instagram, where he breaks down cases and trends shaping the industry. Before founding his firm, he studied sports business at Columbia University, earned his law degree from Michigan State University, and captained the varsity soccer team at Roanoke College.

In this exchange, we unpack Tyshawn Jones vs. Supreme—a $26 million lawsuit [link to filing here] that’s spurred conversations about brand control, exclusivity and how much power talent really has once contracts enter the picture.

According to the suit, the New York-born Jones has…