Latest news with #JackieYoung
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Skechers Calls Kizik's Hands-Free Slip-On Patent Lawsuit ‘Baseless' as Legal Battle Heats Up
Skechers has responded to Kizik's claims that it allegedly knocked-off several of its patented hands-free slip-on footwear designs. In a statement issued on Monday, Skechers called Kizik's allegations 'baseless,' and said they are 'based on the assertion that Kizik created the hands-free footwear category and is the only company that can legally use that century-old idea.' More from WWD Kizik Parent Sues Skechers for Allegedly Knocking Off Hands-Free Slip-On Shoe Tech Skechers Secures Legal Win to Move Forward on Acquisition Skechers Signs WNBA Star Jackie Young, Expands Basketball Lineup With Custom SKX Nexus Sneakers The Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based footwear company added that 'contrary to Kizik's false assertion that Skechers patents have been rejected, Skechers has developed its own unique Slip-ins technology and has obtained more than 140 utility and design patents worldwide, including in the United States, and has vigilantly enforced its patent rights, resulting in numerous judgements, injunctions and settlements around the world.' Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers, stated on Monday that the 'timing of this lawsuit is curious,' pointing to the new $9.42 billion go-private deal with 3G Capital. 'Kizik asserts that, 'at the heart of Skechers' hands-free shoes' are Kizik's patented technologies, yet Skechers has been advertising and selling its Slip-ins since December 2021 without so much as a letter from Kizik,' Greenberg said. 'Then, after the merger is announced, Kizik hires a law firm also used by Nike and attacks our whole Slip-ins product line. We believe that, after all these years of silence, the true motivation for this lawsuit might be found right on the face of Kizik's complaint, where they state that they are looking for a share of the $9.42 billion being paid for Skechers, money Kizik did not earn and does not deserve.' The footwear executive added that the company will 'aggressively challenge' both the validity of the patents and the infringement claims. When reached by FN on Monday, Gareth Hosford, chief executive officer of HandsFree Labs, said that the company is 'confident' in the strength of its claims outlined in the complaint filed on July 24. 'Our patents are valid, Skechers' infringement is evident, and the facts speak for themselves,' Hosford stated. 'We look forward to conducting discovery and bringing our case before a jury.' The company's lawsuit against Skechers, filed last Thursday, alleges that the company 'knowingly and willfully infringed' four HandsFree Labs utility patents, which protect core mechanical innovations that enable true hands-free shoe entry, as well as two HandsFree Labs design patents, which protect ornamental innovations. Best of WWD All the Retailers That Nike Left and Then Went Back Mikey Madison's Elegant Red Carpet Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Julia Fox's Sleekest and Boldest Shoe Looks Over the Years [Photos] Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aces face critical stretch to keep championship window open amid uneven season
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — From management to coach Becky Hammon to the players, the Las Vegas Aces say they remain a championship team despite what has been, at best, an uneven season. The Aces must keep their championship window open or major changes could come during what is expected to be a chaotic offseason given the number of pending free agents in Las Vegas and throughout the WNBA. 'I think as we look at big-picture decisions for the Aces, this stretch is very important,' team president Nikki Fargas said. "It's where championship habits are going to be solidified, and there's a lot of great talent that's going to be available. Are you wanting to be a part of a championship legacy? We've found that that's been a great opportunity for us to talk about that in free agency previously.' The Aces, who in 2023 became the first WNBA team to repeat in 21 years, have been one of the league's model franchises in recent seasons. They were on the short list of favorites to contend for another championship this season, but are in a fight just to secure a playoff spot. They are 13-13, which puts them seventh in the standings. The top eight teams qualify for the postseason, and the Aces are for intents and purposes in playoff mode now because the fifth through 10th teams were separated by 3 1/2 games entering Monday. 'We're just trying to string together some wins,' guard Jackie Young said. 'We know every game's important. We're trying to go out there and build off of the past games, learn from our mistakes.' Falling short of the playoffs or getting bounced early could lead to major offseason changes that could be coming anyway given the number of free agents. Only Aaliyah Nye is under contract beyond this season, according to Spotrac. That's largely the case around the league as well because the collective bargaining agreement ends after this season. Players timed their contracts to take advantage of what should be a much more lucrative CBA because of an 11-year media rights deal valued at more than $2.2 billion. 'I think next year's free agency is like the wild, wild West,' Hammon said. "There's going to be people we're obviously trying to keep their services here in Vegas, and then there are others we're going to try to bring some people in. So I just think it's about finishing the season well, keeping our culture and our character intact through the rest of the (18) games so we make this a destination that people want to come and play with and be competitive at.' Hammon quickly made the point she's not the general manager, and the Aces remain without a GM since Natalie Williams was dismissed in October. The organization chose to not fill that position, with Fargas working with Tonya Holley, vice president of basketball operations, on personnel decisions with input from Hammon. This is an organization that has built through the draft — A'ja Wilson, Young and former Aces star Kelsey Plum were all No. 1 overall picks — but also hasn't been afraid to be aggressive in free agency or trades. Point guard Chelsea Gray signed as a free agent in 2021 and a year later was named WNBA Finals MVP when Las Vegas beat Connecticut in four games for its first championship. The Aces added two-time MVP Candace Parker in 2023, but she played just 18 games before a season-ending foot injury. She retired last year. They made their most audacious move this January, sending Plum to Los Angeles in a three-team trade that brought Jewell Loyd from Seattle. The move hasn't quite worked out the way the Aces envisioned, with Plum averaging 20.1 points and 5.9 assists while Loyd has scored 10.8 points per game. That's her lowest scoring average since putting up 10.7 as a rookie in 2015. But perhaps Loyd will more closely resemble the player who was a six-time All-Star with the Storm, who just last season averaged 19.7 points. She came off the bench — at her request — in Sunday's 106-80 victory at Dallas and scored 20 points. A resurgence by her and the expected addition of Cheyenne Parker-Tyus could be major boosts entering the postseason. Parker-Tyus, who signed as a free agent, is on maternity leave and her Aces debut is yet to be determined. Fargas said she was bullish on the Aces making another title run, pointing out the number of top players on the roster with championship experience, including Wilson and her three MVP trophies. 'Any time you have the best player in the world on your team, you will always have a shot,' Fargas said. If the Aces do have another such run in them, they will do so in the unusual role as underdogs. Hammon said she didn't care what those outside of the organization thought of her team. But Gray wants the target back on the Aces. That would mean they again are playing at a high level. 'You want to be playing your best basketball in September,' Gray said. 'That's what it's all about.' ___ AP WNBA:
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Aces face critical stretch to keep championship window open amid uneven season
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — From management to coach Becky Hammon to the players, the Las Vegas Aces say they remain a championship team despite what has been, at best, an uneven season. The Aces must keep their championship window open or major changes could come during what is expected to be a chaotic offseason given the number of pending free agents in Las Vegas and throughout the WNBA. 'I think as we look at big-picture decisions for the Aces, this stretch is very important,' team president Nikki Fargas said. 'It's where championship habits are going to be solidified, and there's a lot of great talent that's going to be available. Are you wanting to be a part of a championship legacy? We've found that that's been a great opportunity for us to talk about that in free agency previously.' The Aces, who in 2023 became the first WNBA team to repeat in 21 years, have been one of the league's model franchises in recent seasons. They were on the short list of favorites to contend for another championship this season, but are in a fight just to secure a playoff spot. They are 13-13, which puts them seventh in the standings. The top eight teams qualify for the postseason, and the Aces are for intents and purposes in playoff mode now because the fifth through 10th teams were separated by 3 1/2 games entering Monday. 'We're just trying to string together some wins,' guard Jackie Young said. 'We know every game's important. We're trying to go out there and build off of the past games, learn from our mistakes.' Falling short of the playoffs or getting bounced early could lead to major offseason changes that could be coming anyway given the number of free agents. Only Aaliyah Nye is under contract beyond this season, according to Spotrac. That's largely the case around the league as well because the collective bargaining agreement ends after this season. Players timed their contracts to take advantage of what should be a much more lucrative CBA because of an 11-year media rights deal valued at more than $2.2 billion. 'I think next year's free agency is like the wild, wild West,' Hammon said. 'There's going to be people we're obviously trying to keep their services here in Vegas, and then there are others we're going to try to bring some people in. So I just think it's about finishing the season well, keeping our culture and our character intact through the rest of the (18) games so we make this a destination that people want to come and play with and be competitive at.' Hammon quickly made the point she's not the general manager, and the Aces remain without a GM since Natalie Williams was dismissed in October. The organization chose to not fill that position, with Fargas working with Tonya Holley, vice president of basketball operations, on personnel decisions with input from Hammon. This is an organization that has built through the draft — A'ja Wilson, Young and former Aces star Kelsey Plum were all No. 1 overall picks — but also hasn't been afraid to be aggressive in free agency or trades. Point guard Chelsea Gray signed as a free agent in 2021 and a year later was named WNBA Finals MVP when Las Vegas beat Connecticut in four games for its first championship. The Aces added two-time MVP Candace Parker in 2023, but she played just 18 games before a season-ending foot injury. She retired last year. They made their most audacious move this January, sending Plum to Los Angeles in a three-team trade that brought Jewell Loyd from Seattle. The move hasn't quite worked out the way the Aces envisioned, with Plum averaging 20.1 points and 5.9 assists while Loyd has scored 10.8 points per game. That's her lowest scoring average since putting up 10.7 as a rookie in 2015. But perhaps Loyd will more closely resemble the player who was a six-time All-Star with the Storm, who just last season averaged 19.7 points. She came off the bench — at her request — in Sunday's 106-80 victory at Dallas and scored 20 points. A resurgence by her and the expected addition of Cheyenne Parker-Tyus could be major boosts entering the postseason. Parker-Tyus, who signed as a free agent, is on maternity leave and her Aces debut is yet to be determined. Fargas said she was bullish on the Aces making another title run, pointing out the number of top players on the roster with championship experience, including Wilson and her three MVP trophies. 'Any time you have the best player in the world on your team, you will always have a shot,' Fargas said. If the Aces do have another such run in them, they will do so in the unusual role as underdogs. Hammon said she didn't care what those outside of the organization thought of her team. But Gray wants the target back on the Aces. That would mean they again are playing at a high level. 'You want to be playing your best basketball in September,' Gray said. 'That's what it's all about.' ___ AP WNBA:
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Young scores 24 points and Aces roll past Wings
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jackie Young scored 24 points, Jewell Loyd had a strong game off the bench and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Dallas Wings, who rested rookie star Paige Bueckers, 106-80 on Sunday. Loyd came off the bench for the first time in her first season with the Aces to score 20 points, and Kierstan Bell replaced her and scored a career-high 19. The duo combined for seven 3-pointers as Las Vegas hit a season high 15, with five from Young. A'ja Wilson scored 14 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists for Las Vegas (13-13), which snapped a two-game losing skid. NaLyssa Smith scored 11 points. Arike Ogunbowale scored 18 for the Wings (7-19) with Haley Jones adding 15, DiJonai Carrington 14 and Teaira McCowan 12 with 13 rebounds. Young had 14 points on four 3-pointers for the Aces in the first quarter, which ended with the score tied at 27, and the Wings shot 59%. SUN 95, VALKYRIES 64 UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Tina Charles scored 24 points, Bria Hartley and Marina Mabrey both added 15 and last-place Connecticut rolled to a win over Golden State. The Sun (4-20) had a season high for points thanks to season bests of 12 3-pointers, 53% overall shooting (35 of 66) and 14 steals. French rookie Leila Lacan had six steals in just her sixth game. Jacy Sheldon scored 13 points off the bench for the Sun, who turned 24 turnovers into 34 points to end a four-game skid. Charles reached double figures for the 395th time, third in WNBA history behind Diana Taurasi (488) and Tina Thompson (404), and scored 20 points or more for the 185th time, second behind Taurasi (259). She played just 19 minutes. Illana Rupert scored 13 points off the bench for the expansion Valkyries (11-13), who suffered their worst loss in franchise history in their second game since losing All-Star Kayla Thornton to a season-ending knee injury. Veronica Burton added 10 points. Saniya Rivers hit a 3-pointer for a 3-2 lead and the Suns never looked back. It was 23-15 after one quarter and 49-33 at the half. The Sun outscored the Valkyries 46-31 in the second half. Connecticut's previous season high was 93 points in a 10-point win over Seattle prior to the four-game losing streak. The Storm visit the Sun on Monday night. FEVER 93, SKY 78 CHICAGO (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell hit seven 3-pointers and scored 35 points and Indiana defeated Chicago in a marquee matchup on Sunday that was missing stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Clark missed her fourth-straight game for Indiana with a groin injury and has only played in half of the team's games and Reese was out for her second straight for the Sky with a back issue. Aliyah Boston had 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Fever (14-12), who have three double-figure wins over Chicago this season. Makayla Timpson had 14 points off the bench and Aari McDonald added 10. Mitchell had her 100th career 20-point game, second in franchise history behind Tamika Catchings, and her ninth 30-point game. She also picked up her 200th career steal and the Fever turned 23 turnovers into 31 points.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Young scores 24 points and Aces roll past Wings
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jackie Young scored 24 points, Jewell Loyd had a strong game off the bench and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Dallas Wings, who rested rookie star Paige Bueckers, 106-80 on Sunday. Loyd came off the bench for the first time in her first season with the Aces to score 20 points, and Kierstan Bell replaced her and scored a career-high 19. The duo combined for seven 3-pointers as Las Vegas hit a season high 15, with five from Young. A'ja Wilson scored 14 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists for Las Vegas (13-13), which snapped a two-game losing skid. NaLyssa Smith scored 11 points. Arike Ogunbowale scored 18 for the Wings (7-19) with Haley Jones adding 15, DiJonai Carrington 14 and Teaira McCowan 12 with 13 rebounds. Young had 14 points on four 3-pointers for the Aces in the first quarter, which ended with the score tied at 27, and the Wings shot 59%. SUN 95, VALKYRIES 64 UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Tina Charles scored 24 points, Bria Hartley and Marina Mabrey both added 15 and last-place Connecticut rolled to a win over Golden State. The Sun (4-20) had a season high for points thanks to season bests of 12 3-pointers, 53% overall shooting (35 of 66) and 14 steals. French rookie Leila Lacan had six steals in just her sixth game. Jacy Sheldon scored 13 points off the bench for the Sun, who turned 24 turnovers into 34 points to end a four-game skid. Charles reached double figures for the 395th time, third in WNBA history behind Diana Taurasi (488) and Tina Thompson (404), and scored 20 points or more for the 185th time, second behind Taurasi (259). She played just 19 minutes. Illana Rupert scored 13 points off the bench for the expansion Valkyries (11-13), who suffered their worst loss in franchise history in their second game since losing All-Star Kayla Thornton to a season-ending knee injury. Veronica Burton added 10 points. Saniya Rivers hit a 3-pointer for a 3-2 lead and the Suns never looked back. It was 23-15 after one quarter and 49-33 at the half. The Sun outscored the Valkyries 46-31 in the second half. Connecticut's previous season high was 93 points in a 10-point win over Seattle prior to the four-game losing streak. The Storm visit the Sun on Monday night. FEVER 93, SKY 78 CHICAGO (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell hit seven 3-pointers and scored 35 points and Indiana defeated Chicago in a marquee matchup on Sunday that was missing stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Clark missed her fourth-straight game for Indiana with a groin injury and has only played in half of the team's games and Reese was out for her second straight for the Sky with a back issue. Aliyah Boston had 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Fever (14-12), who have three double-figure wins over Chicago this season. Makayla Timpson had 14 points off the bench and Aari McDonald added 10. Mitchell had her 100th career 20-point game, second in franchise history behind Tamika Catchings, and her ninth 30-point game. She also picked up her 200th career steal and the Fever turned 23 turnovers into 31 points.
