Kanye West ‘Didn’t Mean What He Said’ About Jews According To Adidas CEO
Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden spoke about how he believes Kanye “didn’t mean what he said” about Jewish people last year. In a recent podcast interview, the sportswear company CEO said that he doesn’t think Kanye is a “bad person.” He believes that the rapper’s messages, which many viewed as antisemitic, were misconstrued.
“As creative people he did some statements which wasn’t that good,” Gulden told host Nicolai Tangen. “Very unfortunate because I don’t think he meant what he said and I don’t think he’s a bad person it just came across that way.”
Last year, Adidas dropped Kanye after his antisemitic posts. Adidas is where Ye created his Yeezy brand that housed his popular sneakers, slides, and clothing.
“Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful, and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness,” Adidas said in a statement. “After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products, and stop all payments to Ye and his companies. Adidas will stop the Adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect.”
Adidas Resells Yeezys & Donates Proceeds To Charity
Back in June, it was announced that Adidas would be reselling Yeezys and donating a part 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.
“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.”
