Nike Discontinues Sneaker Because Of Connections to Heaven's Gate Cult

Sneaker collectors are buzzing over a rumor that Nike stopped developing a new purple-and-black Nike Dunk shoe because of its resemblance to the Nike sneakers worn by members of the Heaven's Gate cult.

In 1997, Heaven's Gate members committed mass suicide because they believed the world was going to be "wiped clean". Photos emerged of the bodies of dead cult members covered in blankets with their feet sticking out. They were all wearing the same style of black Nike basketball shoes. Not surprisingly, Nike has tried to avoid any association with the incident.

While the sneaker giant has not made any comment about the latest rumor surrounding the new black-and-purple Nikes, some people are taken the story seriously. One prototype sneaker recently sold on eBay for nearly US$3,000.