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Adidas succumbed to consumer and activist groups terminating partnership with American rapper and designer Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), He has previously made a series of anti-Semitic remarks on social media and in recent interviews.
“Adidas does not tolerate anti-Semitism and any other type of hate speech. Mr. Ye’s recent remarks and actions are unacceptable, hateful and dangerous and they violate the company The values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness,” the German sportswear brand said in a statement today.
“After a thorough review, the company has decided to immediately terminate the cooperation with Ye, stop the production of Yeezy branded products, and stop all payments to Ye and his company. Adidas will immediately stop Adidas Yeezy business.” The brand said this would have a short-term negative impact of up to million euros on net income because of the “fourth quarter” . A Yeezy brand spokesperson has been contacted for comment.
Balenciaga and Gap have cut ties with Ye and he has been fired from Creative Artists Agency. On Tuesday, Today, Gap said it would remove all Yeezy Gap products from its stores and shut down a dedicated e-commerce site, with its “recent remarks and actions by its former partners further underscoring why [it terminated the Yeezy Gap partnership]”.
“According to our values, any form of anti-Semitism, racism and hatred is inexcusable and intolerable. On behalf of our customers, employees and shareholders, we are Partner with organizations fighting hate and discrimination,” Gap’s statement read.
The controversy started at Paris Fashion Week when Yeh staged a surprise show for his label Yeezy, where he sent a model onto a T-shirt wearing T-shirt with the slogan “White Lives Matter”. Rapper and right-wing commentator Candace Owens also posed for a photo in a T-shirt.
Following industry outrage, Yeh responded on social media, where he made several racist and offensive remarks, including a recent attack on Jews. Ye has now been suspended from Instagram and Twitter, but continues to post on Parler, the self-described “free speech” social media app, which he has announced plans to buy.
