Football Coach Emancipation: The Case for the Dissolution of the Adidas/Ye Partnership with the Athletic Brand Adidas & Balenciaga
In a statement Tuesday, the sportswear maker said it “does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech” and said that his recent comments were “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous.” Adidas said they violated the company’s “values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”
The rapper said he was ending his relationship with the Gap because of noncompliance. Ye said he was left “no choice but to terminate their collaboration,” alleging the company didn’t open branded Yeezy stores and distribute his merchandise as planned, his lawyer said in a statement.
Adidas has partnered with West since 2013, when the company signed his brand away from rival Nike. In 2016, Adidas expanded its relationship with the rapper, calling it “the most significant partnership ever created between a non-athlete and an athletic brand.”
Shares of Adidas fell about 5% in Frankfurt. The financial implications of Adidas dissolving its partnership with Ye will be included in its earnings report on November 9.
The list of brands distancing themselves from West is growing. West was dropped as a client of the talent agency on Monday, after several high fashion houses cut ties last week. There is a documentary that is being pulled by the production company.
The saga of Ye, not just with Adidas but with brands like Gap and Balenciaga, underlines the importance of vetting celebrities thoroughly and avoiding those who are overly controversial or unstable,” wrote Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData in a note Tuesday.
“Although there is room for some tension in fashion, this must never cross the line of decency and basic respect for humanity. He said that companies that fail to heed this will get stung because they become overly reliant on a difficult personality to drive their business.
What Have We Learned About Irving’s Post about Wake Up Black America? A Conversation with Anti-Defamation League General Manager Sean Marks
Nets owner Joe Tsai and the NBA were offended by Irving’s promotion of a movie about Wake Up Black America.
Irving apologized to Jewish families and communities that were hurt by his post. “I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.
I didn’t want to disrespect any Jewish history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all,” he said.
I want to listen and learn from every walk of life, so I will do so with an open mind. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light.”
Earlier this week, NBA analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said he thought the league “dropped the ball” on Irving and that he believed Irving should have been suspended.
On Tuesday, when asked why Irving had not been disciplined for his actions, Nets general manager Sean Marks told reporters: “I think we are having these discussions behind the scenes.
“At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance and call out the use of anti-Jewish stereotypes and tropes – whatever, whoever, or wherever the source – as we work toward a world without hate.”
Jonathan Greenblatt, the Anti-Defamation League CEO, said: “At a time when antisemitism has reached historic levels, we know the best way to fight the oldest hatred is to both confront it head-on and also to change hearts and minds.
End of the NBA: a Twitter apology to West for his comments on an antisemitic documentary and threatening to do a death con on Jews
On Thursday, the day after he was criticized for his antisemitic comments, West posted a picture of the guard on his social media account.
He threatened to do a death con on Jewish people. He also ranted in an Instagram post about Ari Emanuel, CEO of the talent agency Endeavor, referencing “business” people when he clearly meant Jews.
Irving missed the Nets game on Friday because he was suspended for comments he made regarding an antisemitic documentary.
When asked Friday if there was any consideration of releasing Irving from the team, Nets general manager Sean Marks told reporters, “No. Not at this time.
“There is going to be some remedial steps and measures that have been put in place for him to obviously seek some counseling … from dealing with some anti-hate and some Jewish leaders within our community,” Marks said. We will see if this is the right situation to bring him back, he will have to meet with them and they will have to meet with the organization after this.
The NBA star point guard issued an apology hours later on his verified Instagram account, in which he said he takes full accountability for his actions.