Why 7-Eleven Is Suing Nike Over a Pair of Sneakers

Convenience store giant 7-Eleven has filed a federal lawsuit against Nike, accusing the sportswear company of trademark infringement over a sneaker colorway that closely mirrors the retailer’s iconic branding.

The Shoe at the Center of the Dispute

The case revolves around the Nike Air Max 95 Big Bubble in a “Sport Green and Safety Orange” colorway. According to the complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas — where 7-Eleven is headquartered — the sneaker’s side striping combines red, green, and orange in an arrangement strikingly similar to 7-Eleven’s signature look.

7-Eleven says it has used this three-color combination, which it calls its “Tri-Color Mark,” for nearly 60 years across a wide range of products, including socks, shirts, jackets, and footwear. Notably, past official collaborations, such as a 2022 partnership with Crocs, also used this same color palette.

A Suspiciously Timed Release

One detail fueling the dispute is the shoe’s planned release date: July 11, the same day as “7-Eleven Day” and the chain’s annual “Free Slurpee Day” promotion. 7-Eleven argues this wasn’t a coincidence, but a deliberate attempt to link the sneaker to its brand in the minds of consumers.

The complaint also points to real-world confusion, noting that some product listings for the sneaker have referred to it outright as the “7-Eleven” shoe, despite there being no official partnership behind it.

A Real Collaboration That Never Happened

Interestingly, Nike and 7-Eleven do have a history of official collaboration. Back in 2020, the two companies had planned to release a 7-Eleven-themed Nike SB Dunk Low ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Those plans were shelved when the Games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shoe never made it to market.

Court filings state that before suing, 7-Eleven made repeated attempts to resolve the matter directly with Nike, but the sportswear company indicated it planned to move forward with the launch as scheduled. That refusal is what ultimately pushed 7-Eleven to take the matter to court.

What 7-Eleven Wants From the Lawsuit

In its complaint, 7-Eleven is asking the court to:

• Block Nike from manufacturing, marketing, advertising, or selling the Air Max 95 sneakers in question
• Order a recall of any shoes already distributed
• Require the destruction of the product along with related advertising and marketing materials
• Award monetary damages, including any profits Nike earned from sales of the shoes
• Reimburse legal fees and court costs

7-Eleven has not specified a dollar amount for damages.

Nike’s Response

As of publication, Nike has not issued an official comment on the lawsuit. Notably, however, the Air Max 95 Big Bubble in question has since disappeared from Nike’s SNKRS app and no longer appears on the company’s release calendar.