Kanye West and Adidas have settled their legal dispute after the sportswear brand terminated their partnership with the rapper due to his anti-Semitic comments. The $1.5 billion deal was ended in October 2022, following West’s repeated vile remarks, including a tweet in which he threatened to go “death-con 3 on Jewish people.” The settlement, announced by Adidas on Tuesday, ended all legal proceedings between the two parties, with no money changing hands in the agreement. CEO Bjorn Gulden stated that there are no more open issues, and both parties have agreed to move on from the dispute.
The partnership between Kanye West and Adidas began in 2013 after the rapper ended a collaboration with Nike. The deal was expected to be a ten-year-long production, but it was terminated by Adidas in 2022. Prior to being dumped by the brand, West had already been publicly sparring with Adidas executives, accusing them of stealing his ideas. West owns the Yeezy brand, but Adidas pays him an annual royalty fee to sell the products. The rapper’s anti-Semitic comments led Adidas to cut ties with him, citing the dangerous and unacceptable nature of his remarks.
After the split with Adidas, Kanye West lost his billionaire status and faced backlash from multiple high-profile endorsements. Adidas claimed that ending their partnership with the rapper would have a negative impact of up to €250 million on the company’s net income in 2022. In February 2024, West accused Adidas of releasing “fake” Yeezys without his consent and claimed they were suing him for $250 million. In a vitriolic Instagram video, West criticized Adidas for exploiting him and using his brand without proper compensation, leading to a public dispute between the rapper and the sportswear company.
Adidas responded to Kanye West’s accusations by stating that they do not tolerate anti-Semitism or hate speech. The company had made donations to organizations combatting anti-Semitism and other forms of hate as a form of solidarity. In the wake of West’s controversial comments, Adidas reiterated their commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, mutual respect, and fairness. The out-of-court settlement between West and Adidas brought an end to their legal battles, with both parties agreeing to move on from the dispute without any financial exchange.
Kanye West’s public outbursts and anti-Semitic comments had a significant impact on his professional relationships, including his partnership with Adidas. The rapper’s loss of endorsements and billionaire status were consequences of his controversial statements. Despite facing legal and financial challenges, West continued to speak out against Adidas and criticized the brand for allegedly releasing “fake” Yeezys without his involvement. The settlement between West and Adidas marked the end of their acrimonious relationship, allowing both parties to move forward from the dispute.
The settlement between Kanye West and Adidas brought closure to a two-year legal battle between the rapper and the sportswear brand. The termination of their partnership highlighted the consequences of West’s controversial comments and the importance of upholding values of diversity and inclusion. Adidas’ decision to cut ties with the rapper due to his anti-Semitic remarks underscored the company’s commitment to combating hate speech and promoting social justice. The resolution of the dispute allowed both parties to conclude the legal proceedings and move on from the contentious issues that had arisen between them.
