Adidas Resolves Dispute with Kanye West Over Antisemitism Controversy

Adidas has officially ended its legal dispute with Kanye West, stemming from antisemitic remarks the rapper made in 2022, which had abruptly ended their lucrative “Yeezy” collaboration. At the time, Adidas discontinued the Yeezy line and began selling off remaining stock at wholesale prices.

On Tuesday, Adidas announced that both parties had reached a settlement, putting an end to all legal proceedings. “There aren’t any more open issues and there is no money going either way,” said Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden during a conference call about the company’s financial results.

Gulden acknowledged past tensions but emphasized that the dispute had been resolved: “Both parties said we don’t need to fight anymore. The drama with West belongs to the past.”

Ending the partnership with Kanye West left Adidas with Yeezy inventory worth approximately €1.2 billion (£840 million). The company has been selling the remaining products in batches, with proceeds being donated to NGOs, including its newly launched anti-discrimination foundation.

The final batch of Yeezy stock is expected to be sold by the end of 2024, closing the chapter on a partnership that had once been highly profitable for both parties.

The resolution marks a significant shift from 2022 when Adidas took a strong stance against West’s remarks, stating it would not tolerate “antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” calling his actions “unacceptable, hateful, and dangerous.”

By settling the dispute, Adidas and West have put an end to their high-profile conflict, allowing both parties to move forward.