Kanye West and Adidas settle Yeezy lawsuit in 2024
- Adidas has reached an out-of-court settlement with Kanye West, ending two years of litigation.
- The partnership was terminated due to West's antisemitic comments made in 2022.
- Both parties decided to move forward without any further claims, highlighting the resolution of their disputes.
In October 2024, Adidas and Kanye West, known as Ye, reached an out-of-court settlement to conclude their ongoing legal battles. The conflicts erupted after the sportswear brand terminated its partnership with West due to his antisemitic remarks made in late 2022, sparking public outrage and legal ramifications. Following the end of their collaboration, a large stockpile of unsold Yeezy trainers remained, prompting concerns about financial losses for both sides. Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden stated that there are no unresolved issues left between the parties, and emphasized that the settlement would allow them to move on without any monetary transactions involved. He acknowledged the previous tensions that existed, but both parties ultimately decided it was unnecessary to continue their fight in the courts. Additionally, Adidas had previously announced that some proceeds from the sale of its remaining Yeezy stock would be donated to various charitable organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and foundations aimed at combating antisemitism. This decision demonstrated the brand’s efforts to address the backlash from West’s comments and regain its reputation. The resolution of the lawsuits allows Adidas to clear its legal slate, marking a significant step towards re-establishing its core values of diversity and inclusion that were brought into question during the controversies surrounding West. Moving forward, the company aims to maintain a focus on ethical practices in its partnerships and messaging.