Ex-Modell’s owner forced to shut down week-old – Business News
The former owner of Modell’s Sporting Goods has shut down a web site he launched to sell Knicks-themed merch and different objects after simply a week online — due to a cease-and-desist letter he obtained from the present owner of Modell’s, The Post has realized.
Mitchell Modell began the location to sell T-shirts proper after the Knicks’ historic NBA championship however took it down Wednesday, he instructed The Post.
Mitchell Modell unveiled his new e-commerce website mitchellmodells.com final week. James Keivom for NY Post
Ever the entrepreneur, he launched a new website known as mitchymos.com proper after shutting down mitchellmodells.com. Along with a Knicks-themed shirt, it sells threads celebrating US soccer and Philadelphia.
“I waved the white flag,” Modell mentioned of his tried comeback into sports activities retail.
Modell’s present owner Raj Gupta demanded that the founder stop utilizing the Modell’s title in his new enterprise, in accordance to the cease-and-desist letter seen by The Post.
Gupta’s Omni Retail Enterprises, which purchased Modell’s in 2023, accused the previous owner of “trademark infringement” and “unfair competition.” The letter additionally mentioned Modell violated the phrases of an non-disclosure settlement.
It got here within the wake of contentious texts between Gupta and Modell, as The Post completely reported.
Modell — whose great-grandfather Morris Modell based the business in 1889 — first tried to buy back the model from Gupta in 2024. But these talks didn’t advance. The company filed for chapter in 2020 and closed its 140 shops. It solely exists as an e-commerce business now.
Modell’s Sporting Goods shops filed for chapter in 2020 and closed all 140 places. Pacific Press/LightRocket by way of Getty Images
Mitchell Modell’s new web site went reside on Wednesday. http://www.mitchymos.com
Late final 12 months, Modell tried to buy the model again, and Gupta tentatively agreed to a $1 million price tag plus equity within the new enterprise.
Those talks hit a wall in June, during the Knicks’ run for the NBA championship title.
Gupta instructed The Post final week that “The deal fell apart because [Modell] didn’t stand by the terms we had agreed to.”
Modell’s new e-commerce business sells $25 T-shirts – with $5 per sale going to most cancers analysis – together with a “Go USA” shirt in honor of the FIFA World Cup.
“Whether it’s the Knicks hoisting the NBA championship trophy, the World Cup final, the Stanley Cup or whatever moment has the world buzzing — we’re on it. Fast,” the new web site boasts.
Gupta declined to touch upon the most recent developments.
