Zach Levet Illegally Selling Nike Embroidered Apparel?

hahaha. to add, remember - zach levet was also the one screaming from the rooftops about how much money hes making, at a time when thats a particularly touchy subject.

Maybe a little more humility would've avoided rubbing people the wrong way.

Contain your erection wrote:

Dude, we get it. My gods. Although I will say that I'm surprised the reaction here is so strong. Ripping off a mega corp? Who cares? It isn't like he is screwing over a small mom and pop shop. Nike is a sh*t company anyway, just like all the other huge ones who employ south Asians to make their stuff for pennies a day.

Cheaters like Zach disgust me. I hope he is banned for life.

When I saw the subject of the trending thread, it didn't mean much but it took a bit for the name to ring a bell in my mind. I've seen the name previously on a thread right here on the Board. What I didn't really get and still don't is:

Who is this guy?

I might not follow running as closely as Gault, but I'll read about and peruse the results of a wide variety of events. I was even somewhat interested in the real that NAZ won. I'm not all that obsessed with high school running but I'll look at the results of the races that LRC is hyping up. So, I can be aware of athletes outside the top tier that is in WC and so forth. There are a number of semi-pros who surface in writeup on this site. Anyone of about the level of fame let's say, of Mammoth Track Club or Ritz's group on up, I might recognize the name or it would make me pause because I've seen the name before.

All that having been said, this character doesn't seem to be involved with running at any level that gets any press. Now, I'm not either. Nor are essentially all reading this. I go to races that don't attract pro talent. LRC doesn't cover them nor should they. Maybe the dude is at a similar level. But it's not clear to me whether he runs at all, much less races. I mean, he ain't getting 9th place in one of these decidedly non-DL level events Gault does tell us about. He's not on the start list. Of anything.

Who is this joker? Has he ever raced? Does he have PRs? Just to be clear, any similar data from me would turn few heads. I'm not saying I should be getting Farah-level accolades. But I HAVE run. Did so today. I have even raced. I've been 30th place in any number of things. Is this just a non-runner whom you all have heard of for some reason?

I like this analogy but I'm gonna change it up a bit...

See Zach wasn't only screwing over Nike he was screwing over anyone who bought these items.

So imagine 3 little Kodiak Cubs and Zach Levet comes along with his seductive smile and murders all of them with his bare hands. The mama Kodiak bear wasn't aware of this but with the help of the trolls at LetsRun.com became aware of how her precious cubs were murdered. Now in the animal kingdom, this bear is legally allowed to do whatever it wants to poor Zach.

Z, just needs to lay low...delete the company. Stop doing what he was doing and let the storm pass.

Exactly. I hope the full force of Nike's legal team is brought down on this scumbag.

Contain your erection wrote:

Dude, we get it. My gods. Although I will say that I'm surprised the reaction here is so strong. Ripping off a mega corp? Who cares? It isn't like he is screwing over a small mom and pop shop. Nike is a sh*t company anyway, just like all the other huge ones who employ south Asians to make their stuff for pennies a day.

True! This is why when I visit a mega corp such as Disney World, I always try to put a few things in my bag when the employees aren't watching. Also, when I go to an Apple store, I try to do the same. McDonalds, I'll pick up my order, leave the store, then come back in and tell them they left something out of the bag. I mean, they have plenty of money, so Who Cares? I usually take something out of the collection plate at Church, because I figure, they don't pay taxes, so I deserve it. And don't get me started on Casinos! The only advice I have is that if you want lift a pair of high end Nike sneakers, don't do at a local running store, but find a Nike store to do it, as they have plenty of money on hand.

Also, I only steal rims and tires from Teslas, Mercedes, Beemers, etc. because I figure if the owner's can afford those cars, they won't have any issues with replacing the rims and tires.

Can you give the Let's Run community list of companies that you feel that it is OK to steal (well, it's not really stealing) from? Is it based on company revenue, profit, etc? What are your guidelines?

Thanks In Advance!

He’s a social media athlete.

You don’t have to be good at running to do that just social media...and apparently this guy is.

He’s also screwed.

Hey, thanks Thoughts and Prayers (isn't that one of Jeselnik's DVDs?) Social media guy. That makes sense. I guess his apparently high profile doesn't cross my path. But are you saying he actually IS good at running? I know there are 9 minutes miles who attract a following.

can't figure it out wrote:

Hey, thanks Thoughts and Prayers (isn't that one of Jeselnik's DVDs?) Social media guy. That makes sense. I guess his apparently high profile doesn't cross my path. But are you saying he actually IS good at running? I know there are 9 minutes miles who attract a following.

Sub 14:50 5k, sub 30:40 10k, and 2:25:xx marathon I believe. Track times were from freshman year of college, marathon was from what would’ve been his sophomore year. Went to William and Mary and dropped out after the first year to pursue YouTube and running full time. Basically said that he dropped out because he didn’t like libraries and having mandatory study hall times as a student athlete. In other words, he was lazy and didn’t use that time well at all and likely got grades so poor that he was going to be ineligible. Since dropping out, he’s been infamous for making goals or promises and not upholding them very soon after making them. Now he’s going to be infamous for creating and selling counterfeit Nike products.

can't figure it out wrote:

Hey, thanks Thoughts and Prayers (isn't that one of Jeselnik's DVDs?) Social media guy. That makes sense. I guess his apparently high profile doesn't cross my path. But are you saying he actually IS good at running? I know there are 9 minutes miles who attract a following.

14:46 5K and 2:26 marathon.

zach this isn't good please stop wrote:

This is even weirder because a while ago I remember Nike was sending him gear and making him an influencer for some marathon project. If I remember right they even flew him out to one of their stores, although I could be remembering that wrong. To turn around and sell counterfeit clothing from that brand is utterly mind boggling.

This has to be one of the top 10 anime betrayals of all time

codaayyee wrote:

Sales and Profit is VERY different.

Difference is pretty simple.

Sales - Expenses = profit

Sales - product costs - taxes - mob payments - Nike license fees = profit

This thread is ridiculous. Zach Levit is just a goofy kid with little real world experience. His biggest life accomplishment so far is getting his own apartment for crapsakes.

He isn't going to be arrested and most likely not sued. He will get a cease and desist from Nike demanding an accounting of his sales and forfeiture of any existing lnventory. If he complies , that will be the end of it.

Lessons for Zach. Don't ever divulge or boast about the details of your personal finances or business. Secondly you have a means of production and distribution for your own original creative products. Use it.

FWIW.

"Nike" = trademark

"Just do it" = copyright

Got it?

malmo wrote:

This thread is ridiculous. Zach Levit is just a goofy kid with little real world experience. His biggest life accomplishment so far is getting his own apartment for crapsakes.

He isn't going to be arrested and most likely not sued. He will get a cease and desist from Nike demanding an accounting of his sales and forfeiture of any existing lnventory. If he complies , that will be the end of it.

Lessons for Zach. Don't ever divulge or boast about the details of your personal finances or business. Secondly you have a means of production and distribution for your own original creative products. Use it.

I think that this is a pretty good take. Levet is way too small potatoes for Nike's mega legal team. Although Levet's reputation will have taken a hit, he's not doomed for life. I do feel bad for his parents though. Also a reminder to the Let'srun lynch mob not to get too excited about fresh blood.

I have done some jail time in my life for being a moron in which I received a couple misdemeanors. A DUI and knocking a guy out for disrespecting my wife. Jail is not fun I get along with everyone including gang members if I need to. For me punching a guy out was a respectful thing to my roommates in the clink. Zack is flirting with some felonies which could lead to some serious prison time and he doesn't look like he can throw hands if someone tells him to lace up and in jail they are going to try him.

If he's too small potatoes for Nike, why'd they deem him influential enough to send free gear to promote their brand? What's the message to his following (which is significant within the running community, whether any of us want to admit it or not) if they let people off easy for infringement?

100% agree. I rip and sell bootleg copies of DVDs. But it isn't stealing, because I only copy and sell movies made by the big studios, like Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers, etc. Would I ever copy and sell a ripoff DVD of a movie by a small time producer, like for example Alexis Pappas? Heck no! That would just be wrong. Imagine forcing some unsuspecting customer to watch one her movies??? Criminal!