• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

The U.S. and Iran can't agree on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The solution could be straight out of the Old Testament

2

'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America

3

Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium

1

The U.S. and Iran can't agree on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The solution could be straight out of the Old Testament

2

'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America

3

Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
RetailAdidas

‘I can say anti-Semitic things, and Adidas can’t drop me. Now what?’ As Kanye West taunts Adidas, calls grow for German sportswear giant to cut ties 

Sophie Mellor
By
Sophie Mellor
Sophie Mellor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Sophie Mellor
By
Sophie Mellor
Sophie Mellor
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 24, 2022, 8:18 AM ET
Kanye West
#BoycottAdidas is trending on Twitter after a video emerged of Kanye West saying, “I can say anti-Semitic things, and Adidas can’t drop me. Now what?” Edward Berthelot—GC Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

While Balenciaga and JPMorgan Chase have both cut ties with Kanye West after repeated anti-Semitic remarks, West’s biggest corporate benefactor, Adidas, is staying markedly silent.

But the German sportswear giant may not be able to ignore the controversy for much longer after Kanye West taunted the company by saying he could be as anti-Semitic as he wanted and still have the retailer’s support.

“I can say anti-Semitic things, and Adidas can’t drop me. Now what? Now what?” Kanye is seen asking in a short video clip from the Oct. 16 episode of Drink Champs, a hip-hop community podcast hosted by N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, which has since been taken down.

The video has incited fresh calls for the German sportswear giant to drop Kanye West, and the hashtag #BoycottAdidas has been trending on Twitter since the clip was posted on Oct. 21.

.@adidas the silence speaks for itself. You are absolutely aware of this issue. You have chosen to say nothing either for profit or sympathy for @kanyewest cause, the promotion of hate. https://t.co/YGv3ToYP3z

— Alexander S. Vindman ❎ (@AVindman) October 23, 2022

Kanye West was recently locked out of Instagram and Twitter, after saying he would go “Death Con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” and he has since continued an anti-Semitic attack on the “Jewish media” and “Jewish Zionists,” for allegedly profiting off Black people in the music industry.

Adidas already put its Yeezy deal on review following West’s controversial Oct. 3 YZY show at Paris Fashion Week, where models walked the runway wearing “White Lives Matter” shirts. Adidas said on Oct. 7 that it would review its troubled partnership, noting “we will continue to comanage the current product during this period,” Adidas said in a statement.

https://twitter.com/OfficialKat/status/1584235920588349440

But while Adidas mulls whether to drop Kanye West and the highly profitable Yeezy brand from its product offering, the company released the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 v2 in a brand new color, Salt, on Sunday, which has already been bought and resold 899 times on online reseller marketplace StockX.

Adidas’s troubled future

The mounting publicity crisis comes at a bad time for Adidas.

In its latest third-quarter earnings report, published last Thursday, Adidas lowered its forecast for this year’s operating margin from 7% to 4% because of an overhang of inventory that will have to be sold at a discount. Adidas warned unsold goods were piling up in warehouses due to deteriorating store traffic trends in Greater China and a slowdown in demand in Western markets since September.

The news sent Adidas shares slumping as much as 9.1%—erasing all the gains made during CEO Kasper Rørsted’s six-year tenure and leaving it with a market value about a sixth of that of U.S. rival Nike. Faced with declining earnings, Adidas might be inclined to keep Kanye West on its payroll, as the Yeezy line accounts for an outsize percentage of Adidas sales.

Although Adidas does not report specific sales numbers from the Yeezy arrangement, which began in 2013 and expires in 2026, Morningstar analyst David Swartz estimates Yeezy sales for Adidas to be around $2 billion annually—potentially making up 10% of Adidas’s total sales.

“Ten years ago, Adidas was struggling in the U.S., the largest sportswear market. Thanks, in part, to Yeezy, its U.S. business has rebounded,” Swartz said. “It has helped bring its North America business back to relevance, and it has made Adidas relevant in the collectors’ market and probably allows it to reach a demo that it has missed.”

Kanye West has remained vague on the future of his partnership with Adidas, telling reporters outside his daughter North West’s basketball game on Oct. 22 that “we’re going through legal right now, so anything can happen.”

Adidas did not respond to Fortune’s request for comment by the time of publication.

An anti-Semitic mouthpiece

The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish NGO, has started a campaign called #RunAwayFromHate to allow people to contact Adidas directly and demand the company condemn West’s comments.

The ADL wrote in an open letter to Adidas, “In light of Kanye West’s increasingly strident antisemitic remarks over the past few weeks, we were disturbed to learn that Adidas plans to continue to release new products from his Yeezy brand without any seeming acknowledgment of the controversy surrounding his most recent remarks.”

It took just two days for @adidas to (rightfully) take action against @westham's Kurt Zouma for hitting cats. Yet weeks of virulent #antisemitism from @kanyewest has resulted in silence. Join us in demanding @adidas #RunAwayFromHate. Contact them here: https://t.co/2kRkXQZ9i1

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) October 21, 2022

They note that while Adidas has condemned West’s anti-Semitism, hate groups like White Lives Matter and the Goyim Defense League are celebrating and promoting Ye’s comments.

Neo-Nazis in Los Angeles yesterday: "KANYE IS RIGHT ABOUT THE JEWS." @adidas told @CNBC on Oct 6 its relationship with Kanye was 'under review.' But #adidas is now recruiting a marketing director for Kanye's YEEZY unit in LA. I asked @adidas: Is Kanye business still under review? pic.twitter.com/Sdm07VwKe9

— Nancy Levine Stearns ✍️ (@nancylevine) October 23, 2022

“We urge Adidas to reconsider supporting the Ye product line and to issue a statement making clear that the Adidas company and community has no tolerance whatsoever for antisemitism,” the ADL letter says.

Kanye West also recently made a bid to buy the alt-tech social media platform Parler. “In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial, we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves,” Ye said in a press release on Oct. 17.

Adidas has clearly decided to be the Nazi company. Again.

— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) October 23, 2022
Sign up for the Fortune Features email list so you don’t miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations.
About the Author
Sophie Mellor
By Sophie Mellor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

German carmakers are suffering some of their worst declines ever in China as Q2 sales plunge 30%-41%
AsiaAutos
German carmakers are suffering some of their worst declines ever in China as Q2 sales plunge 30%-41%
By Chan Ho-Him and The Associated PressJuly 11, 2026
1 day ago
A 12-person PR firm represents De Niro, Pacino, and billion-dollar clients. Its founder says the secret is staying small
SuccessPublic relations
A 12-person PR firm represents De Niro, Pacino, and billion-dollar clients. Its founder says the secret is staying small
By Sydney LakeJuly 11, 2026
1 day ago
A $5 hair tie, a sold-out dress, cake and a fast-food order: How fans chase closeness to Erling Haaland, Taylor Swift and other celebrities
Arts & EntertainmentWorld Cup
A $5 hair tie, a sold-out dress, cake and a fast-food order: How fans chase closeness to Erling Haaland, Taylor Swift and other celebrities
By Mia OsmonbekovJuly 11, 2026
1 day ago
Raising Cane's counter with a goal soccer ball logo
RetailFood and drink
The Raising Cane’s co-CEO has seen those World Cup fans praising the chicken and sauce. He’s ‘pretty grateful’ to have ‘chicken fanatics’ worldwide
By Catherina GioinoJuly 10, 2026
3 days ago
Peter Cancro shakes oregano over an open sandwich.
RetailFood and drink
Jersey Mike’s $12 billion IPO filing reveals a $50 million payday for the founder’s stepson and a $41 million jet
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 9, 2026
3 days ago
‘Sony essentially destroys its own defense’: How its disc-free PS5 plan triggered a $457M lawsuit and  undercut its antitrust defense
LawSony
‘Sony essentially destroys its own defense’: How its disc-free PS5 plan triggered a $457M lawsuit and  undercut its antitrust defense
By Mia OsmonbekovJuly 9, 2026
3 days ago

Most Popular

The U.S. and Iran can't agree on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The solution could be straight out of the Old Testament
Middle East
The U.S. and Iran can't agree on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The solution could be straight out of the Old Testament
By Jason MaJuly 11, 2026
19 hours ago
'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America
Banking
'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 11, 2026
1 day ago
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
Environment
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 10, 2026
2 days ago
A Trump Account could make your kid a millionaire by 45—but financial experts say the app's projections come with a catch
Personal Finance
A Trump Account could make your kid a millionaire by 45—but financial experts say the app's projections come with a catch
By Sydney LakeJuly 12, 2026
8 hours ago
Global oil demand is falling, and crude prices are down. But here's why gasoline, diesel and other refined products are still costly
Energy
Global oil demand is falling, and crude prices are down. But here's why gasoline, diesel and other refined products are still costly
By Cathy Bussewitz and The Associated PressJuly 11, 2026
1 day ago
Americans are quietly abandoning the daily habit that billionaires say set them up for success—and it could have lasting consequences
Success
Americans are quietly abandoning the daily habit that billionaires say set them up for success—and it could have lasting consequences
By Preston ForeJuly 11, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.