Adidas ends partnership with Kanye over antisemitism scandal
West has reportedly also been dropped by his attorney and talent agency
Adidas announced on Tuesday an end to its partnership with Kanye West over his antisemitic remarks in recent weeks.
“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,” a statement from Adidas said.
“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,” it added.
This comes after more than 165,000 signed a petition to Adidas, urging the sports giant to end its ties with West after he spewed antisemitism on multiple TV appearances.
The American Jewish Committee “welcomed the decisive if belated action” by Adidas to end its partnership with West, saying “Ye has shown no remorse or contrition for his string of antisemitic remarks filled with hate and lies. We call on other companies to follow suit.”
The Anti-Defamation League also applauded Adidas for its decision, with its CEO Jonathan Greenblatt saying “In the end, Adidas’ action sends a powerful message that antisemitism and bigotry have NO place in society.”
West has also been dropped by Creative Arts Agency (CAA), according to Deadline, while TMZ reported that his attorney, Camille Vasquez, also announced she was ending her contract with the controversial rapper.
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