Adidas Ends Partnership With Kanye West Over 'Antisemitism'

Speaking on a recent podcast, Ye taunted Adidas by saying he could continue to say "anti-Semitic things, and Adidas can't drop me."

Sportswear giant Adidas has terminated its partnership with Kanye West, also known as Ye, following a series of "anti-Semitic" and "offensive remarks."

"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," the company said in a statement. "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."

Adidas conceded that the decision would 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."

The German brand's move comes after weeks of deliberations and pressure from celebrities and social media users to drop the rapper following his remarks, which were deemed "anti-Semitic" and "hateful."

Just a little over a week ago, Ye was on a hip-hop community podcast, where he bragged about being able to say "anti-Semitic things" and still have Adidas' support.

“I can say anti-Semitic things, and Adidas can’t drop me. Now what? Now what?” West said.

This dude Kanye is a clown. @adidas what do you think about this? He seems to imply you’re okay with antisemitism.
pic.twitter.com/iGjLnMoPGL

— Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) October 21, 2022

Adidas, which had already put its Yeezy deal with Kanye on review following the rapper's 3 YZY show at the Paris Fashion Week, where he donned a "White Lives Matter" shirt, is just the lastest company to have cut ties with the rapper. Previously, Gap Inc., Balenciaga, and Vogue decided to drop him. Ye's talent agency, CAA, has dropped him, while the MRC studio announced that it was shelving a complete documentary about him.

Kanye West has been locked out of Instagram* and Twitter after posting that he would go "Death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE." He has claimed that "Jewish Zionists" control the media and "have owned the Black voice." He subsequently apologized for the "death con" comment.

While Ye has yet to react to Adidas' move, he previously blasted attempts to cancel him: "They'll mute you at all costs," the rapper said, adding that he won't back down.

*Instagram is banned in Russia over extremist activities.