The sportswear giant — who, over the weekend, dropped their latest Yeezy sneaker collaboration —said in a statementTuesday that they will no longer work with West, noting that the company “does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech.”
Their statement continued, “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.”
Kanye West.Scott Dudelson/FilmMagic
Financial analysts speculateAdidas could lose $240 million from the split, NBC News reported.
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“Hate speech is never OK or excusable,” West’s own ex-wifeKim Kardashian, with whom he shares four kids, wrote on Twitter Monday. “I stand together with the Jewish community and call on the terrible violence and hateful rhetoric towards them to come to an immediate end.”
Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty
Adidas now joinsBalenciaga in the list of brands cutting ties with West.
Last month, West also ended the deal between his fashion brandYEEZYandGapafter two years.
“In September, Gap announced ending its YEEZY Gap partnership. Our former partner’s recent remarks and behavior further underscore why. We are taking immediate steps to remove YEEZY Gap product from our stores and we have shut down YEEZYGap.com,” the statement from the brand reads.
“Antisemitism, racism and hate in any form are inexcusable and not tolerated in accordance with our values. On behalf of our customers, employees and shareholders, we are partnering with organizations that combat hate and discrimination,” the statement concluded.
Despite its backlash, he continued todefend the fashion choiceduring an interview onTucker Carlson Tonight. “I do certain things from a feeling, I just channel the energy,” he said on the Fox News show. “It just feels right. It’s using a gut instinct, a connection with God, and just brilliance.”
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Prior to Adidas' decision on Tuesday, West was becoming more vocal about his creative differences with the athletic company, saying in a recent interview that “I could say antisemitic things and Adidas can’t drop me.”
He also used Instagram to express his discontent abouthis working relationship with the brand(or lack thereof), accusing the company of leaving him out of Yeezy-related decision-making and calling out top executives.
source: people.com
