Collabos

Based on a conversation I had with a sneaker boutique insider the other night, I gotta ask, could it possibly be true that the various designers who collaborate with brands like Nike and Puma do NOT get paid for their contributions?? Are these brands with their MASSIVE marketing budgets--whose whole ability these days to claim any hip legitimacy is very much rooted in their relationship with the streetwear scene--actually trying to argue that the fame that comes with a co-designing credential is as good as or better than cash money?

Please tell me this isn't true cause if it is, there are a bunch of designers out there who are truely getting jacked and need to talk to, oh, I don't know, maybe Michael Jordon about whether simply being associated with the Swoosh was good enough for him in terms of payment.