Kanye West's Antisemitic Remarks Lead to Adidas Selling Off Yeezy Inventory
- IndiaGlitz, [Tuesday,February 27 2024]
Adidas is once again offering Yeezy sneakers for sale on its digital platforms, clearing out the remaining inventory after severing ties with rapper Kanye West over his antisemitic comments. This marks the third sale of Yeezy shoes since Adidas ended its partnership with the artist known as âYe,â who faced backlash for his remarks on social media. The company has pledged to donate to organizations fighting antisemitism and other forms of hate.
Starting Thursday, Adidas will sell the âSteel Greyâ Yeezy Boost 350 V2 for $230 a pair on its âConfirmedâ app, Adidas app, and adidas.com. The decision to sell the remaining Yeezy inventory comes after Adidas paused Yeezy sales last May due to concerns over profiting from its association with Ye.
Adidas reported $813 million in revenue from Yeezy releases in 2023, down from $1.3 billion in 2022. The company expects operating profit to nearly double to about $542.3 million this year after the break-up with Ye and the discontinuation of the Yeezy business.
Ye has faced criticism for his controversial remarks, including suggesting that slavery was a choice and calling the coronavirus vaccine âthe mark of the beast.â In December, he apologized to the Jewish community for any unintended offense caused by his words or actions.
The rapper has faced significant consequences for his remarks, including losing partnerships with brands like Balenciaga and Adidas, as well as being dropped by talent agency CAA. Despite the controversy, Ye has returned to social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where he continues to share his thoughts and opinions.
Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden expressed doubt about whether Ye âmeant what he saidâ during his antisemitic and offensive remarks, sparking further debate about the consequences of celebritiesâ actions and statements.
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