adidas has officially cut ties with Kanye West after facing backlash for the rapper’s antisemitic comments.
adidas has announced the following in a statement on its website:
adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.
After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies. adidas will stop the adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect.
This is expected to have a short-term negative impact of up to €250 million on the company’s net income in 2022 given the high seasonality of the fourth quarter. adidas is the sole owner of all design rights to existing products as well as previous and new colorways under the partnership. More information will be given as part of the company’s upcoming Q3 earnings announcement on November 9, 2022.
Kanye West not only has been in the news lately for his antisemitic comments, but he also voiced his opinions on his current adidas and GAP contacts, leading to his relationship with the Three Stripes brand coming to an end.
The story is still developing and as soon as more information is available, we will make sure to update you.
