CoolKicks sues Complex and Nice Kicks over reports tying the sneaker shop to counterfeits

The Los Angeles sneaker resale shop CoolKicks has taken two sneaker news outlets to court.

CoolKicks Inc. and its owner, Adeel Shams, filed a defamation lawsuit against Complex and Nice Kicks. They claim both outlets wrongly told the public that the store was caught up in a counterfeit sneaker scandal.

The coverage at issue

According to the suit, Complex published an article last year with a headline saying CoolKicks had been raided and accused of selling counterfeit shoes. The plaintiffs call that claim demonstrably false. They say law enforcement never accused the company of selling fake goods.

The lawsuit also targets a social media video shared by Nice Kicks. CoolKicks says the clip falsely stated that Shams was arrested and that the store made fake sneakers.

Police said the October 2025 raid at the company's warehouse turned up what they described as stolen Nike merchandise. Shams has said no criminal charges were filed against him or the business.

What CoolKicks wants

The plaintiffs say the reports did lasting damage to their reputations and hurt the business badly. They claim Complex refused to run a retraction and say it is now too late to undo the harm.

The suit accuses both companies of defamation, trade libel and false light. Complex did not immediately respond to a request for comment.