Kanye: Adidas Resumes Selling Yeezys
Kanye is back (sorta). Adidas has begun resuming the sale of Kanye’s popular sneakers and slides from his brand Yeezys. This is the first time the sportswear company has sold the shoes associated with the controversial rapper since they cut ties with him last October. Adidas had roughly $1.3 billion in leftover stock of the product after their partnership was terminated.
“The release will mark the first time that products have been available to consumers since Adidas terminated the YEEZY partnership in October 2022,” the company wrote in a press release. “The products will be existing designs and designs initiated in 2022 for sale in 2023. Additional releases of existing inventory are currently under consideration, but timing is yet to be determined.”
At the bottom of the webpage, it informs potential buyers that a portion of each sale will be “donated in support of the fight against discrimination, hate, racism, and antisemitism.”
RELATED: Adidas To Donate Yeezy Proceeds To George Floyd’s Family Foundation
“We believe [selling the shoes] is the best solution as it respects the created designs and produced shoes, it works for our people, resolves an inventory problem, and will have a positive impact in our communities,” Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden said in a May 19 statement.
“At a time when antisemitism has reached historic levels in the U.S. and is rising globally, we appreciate how Adidas turned a negative situation into a very positive outcome. They have shown real thoughtfulness in engaging with community organizations working to combat this pernicious and stubborn hatred,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “Their leadership, in not only condemning anti-Jewish hate but lending their support for education and other initiatives, is exemplary and a model for other public companies to emulate. We thank them for their ongoing dialogue around their remaining inventory and their vested interest in tackling issues of prejudice and hate.”
Adidas will donate a portion of the proceeds to George Floyd’s brother’s foundation Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change. They will also be donating to the Anti-Defamation League.
