Adidas Cuts Ties with Kanye West Over Antisemitic Comments
- Adidas and Kanye West ended their conflict over antisemitic remarks made by the rapper in 2022.
- The sports brand has reached a settlement with West, concluding all legal disputes.
- Both parties have agreed to move on, marking a significant shift from their previous stances.
In 2022, Kanye West made antisemitic comments that led Adidas to sever ties with the rapper, ending their collaboration on the Yeezy collection. As a result, the sports brand faced significant financial implications, opting to sell its remaining Yeezy stock at wholesale prices while also committing to donate proceeds to various NGOs. This response highlighted Adidas's values against hate speech and discrimination. Adidas's CEO, Bjorn Gulden, recently announced that the company had reached a settlement with West, effectively putting an end to their legal disputes. The resolution signifies that there are no further financial exchanges between the two parties, and both sides have indicated that they no longer wish to continue the conflict. As part of their future plans, Adidas aims to dispose of approximately €1.2 billion worth of Yeezy products by the end of 2024. This entails selling the stock in batches and directing financial contributions towards newly formed anti-discrimination initiatives. Gulden emphasized that the drama with West is now part of the past and both sides have agreed to move on without any lingering issues. The partnership shift reflects a notable transformation from Adidas's previous stringent stance against hate speech, further demonstrating the company's efforts to realign its focus as it acknowledges the lessons learned from the conflict.