gymshark took me to court...

Summary

In this video, Nathaniel Messiah, a junior world champion powerlifter, discusses his ongoing legal battle with Gymshark after they dropped him in October 2024. Despite signing a new contract with Young LA, Gymshark claims he violated a non-compete clause and is seeking an injunction to prevent him from working with Young LA. Nathaniel shares his frustration with the situation, the scrutiny of non-compete clauses, and the support he's received from his manager and legal team. He emphasizes his determination to fight and assures followers that more details will be revealed soon as the case progresses.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nathaniel Messiah, a world champion powerlifter and deadlift record holder, was dropped by Gymshark despite years of collaboration.
• 😀 He was dropped by Gymshark on October 21, 2024, after being offered a new contract on October 10, 2024, which was later rescinded.
• 😀 Nathaniel emphasizes that he did not leave Gymshark voluntarily, but was instead dropped by the brand.
• 😀 He signed a contract with Young LA on December 1, 2024, after Gymshark failed to renew his contract by the end of November.
• 😀 The reason for Nathaniel's departure from Gymshark is still unclear, but it involved a dispute that he cannot legally discuss due to ongoing court proceedings.
• 😀 Nathaniel’s Gymshark contract included a 3-month non-compete clause, preventing him from promoting any competitor brand during that period.
• 😀 Gymshark is now suing Nathaniel to enforce the non-compete clause and prevent him from working with Young LA until the 3 months have passed.
• 😀 Nathaniel has stated that the non-compete clause is unpaid and that Gymshark is not compensating him during the non-compete period.
• 😀 The case is ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for January 15, 2025, to determine the outcome regarding the non-compete injunction.
• 😀 Nathaniel has expressed gratitude for the support from his manager, legal team, and followers, emphasizing his determination to fight the legal case.

Q & A

Why did Nathaniel Messiah go to court against Gymshark?

Nathaniel Messiah went to court because Gymshark issued a claim against him to enforce a non-compete clause in his contract. The non-compete restricted him from working with a competitor, Young LA, for three months after his contract with Gymshark ended.

What is the significance of the non-compete clause in Nathaniel's Gymshark contract?

The non-compete clause in Nathaniel's contract prevented him from promoting a competitor's brand for three months after his Gymshark contract expired. This clause is central to the court case, as Gymshark is seeking to enforce it despite Nathaniel's claims.

What is the timeline of events surrounding Nathaniel's departure from Gymshark?

Nathaniel's contract with Gymshark ended in November 2024. He was initially offered a new contract by Gymshark on October 10, 2024, but was dropped by them on October 21, 2024. He then signed with Young LA starting December 1, 2024.

What led to the dispute with Gymshark regarding Nathaniel's new contract with Young LA?

The dispute arose because of the non-compete clause in Nathaniel's Gymshark contract, which prevented him from promoting a competitor like Young LA for three months. Gymshark sent him a letter on December 12, 2024, demanding he terminate his Young LA contract, which led to the legal proceedings.

What was Gymshark's response after Nathaniel announced his deal with Young LA?

After Nathaniel announced his contract with Young LA on December 10, 2024, Gymshark sent him a letter on December 12, 2024, demanding he terminate the contract. They threatened legal action if he did not comply.

How did Nathaniel react to Gymshark's legal threats?

Nathaniel did not sign the undertakings Gymshark demanded and did not terminate his Young LA contract. Gymshark then filed for an emergency injunction on December 19, 2024, leading to a court hearing on December 30, 2024.

What happened during the court hearing on December 30, 2024?

During the December 30 hearing, the judge decided the arguments could not be resolved in the short time allocated. The case was rescheduled for further hearings, with the next one set for January 15, 2025.

What is Nathaniel's stance on the non-compete clause?

Nathaniel believes that while he signed the contract, non-compete clauses are often scrutinized in court. He argues that the clause may not hold up in court, especially because it is deemed unreasonable in certain situations.

Why did Nathaniel clarify that Gymshark did not drop him due to his own actions?

Nathaniel clarified that he did not leave Gymshark voluntarily, as many people believed. Instead, Gymshark chose not to renew his contract after offering him a new one, which led to his departure.

How does Nathaniel feel about the support he's received during this process?

Nathaniel expressed deep appreciation for the support from his followers, manager, and legal team. He feels encouraged by the backing he has received and is determined to continue fighting in court.