Kanye West Canceled? Adidas Breaks Yeezy Deal, Jaylen Brown and Aaron Donald Leaves Donda Sports
After posting antisemitic tweets, controversial rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, has lost his partnership with Adidas. The sports apparel brand announced it had cut ties with West and his Yeezy brand with "immediate effect." Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown and Aaron Donald leave Donda Sports as a result of Ye's antisemitic comments.
Adidas has also stopped the sales and production of his Yeezy branded products, with payments to Ye and his companies also stopping. However, Adidas also admitted that it will be taking a $246 million hit for its fourth-quarter sales.
Adidas Partnership With Kanye West Already Under Review Since 'White Lives Matter' Debacle
According to CNN, the partnership between Adidas and the controversial rapper had been under review since August after Ye and his girlfriend wore "White Lives Matter" apparel in public. That phrase has been categorized as a "hate slogan" used by White supremacist groups according to the Anti-Defamation League.
Despite this, however, Kanye West doubled down on his antisemitic opinions during the Drink Champs Podcast. During the podcast, he claimed that "I can say antisemitic s*** and Adidas cannot drop me," after tweeting that he would "Go death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE."
CNN reported that Adidas initially stood by West until it received widespread condemnation from celebrities like Kat Dennings, Josh Gad, and Meg Stalter, as well as advocacy groups like the Anti-Defamation League.
Pressure then mounted on the company after a group of Neo-Nazis placed banners on Highway 405 in Los Angeles, sporting hate symbols while saying "Kanye is right about the Jews."
Adidas then placed its partnership with Ye under review, and this resulted in its termination.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt welcomed Adidas's decision and said that it was a "very positive outcome."
Jaylen Brown and Aaron Donald, Other Brands, Cut Ties With Kanye West
Following Kanye West's hateful comments, several athletes cut ties with West's Donda Sports brand, according to TMZ. Jalen Brown, the Boston Celtics superstar, initially denounced West's statements but decided to stay with Donda Sports. However, he had a change of heart and released a statement saying that he reflected on his decision and had a better understanding of the matter.
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) October 25, 2022
Meanwhile, Aaron Donald released a statement saying that Ye's "comments and displays of hate and anti-Semitism" are the exact opposite of how he chose to live and that he found the rapper's actions "irresponsible and go against everything we believe in as a family."
Other brands are also dropping Kanye West, including talent agency CAA. Meanwhile, production company MRC announced that it is shelving a documentary on West.
Gap also seems to be cutting its ties with Ye, removing Yeezy Gap merchandise from its stores, as well as shutting down YeezyGap.com. They also released a statement saying "Our former partner's recent remarks and behavior further underscore why. We are taking immediate steps to remove Yeezy Gap product."
Last week, Vogue and Balenciaga also cut ties with the rapper.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Adidas drops Kanye West over antisemitic remarks - KTLA 5
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