After much discussion, Adidas has finally decided what to do with their unsold Yeezy sneakers. Billboard reports the German sportswear company, which cut ties with Ye after his antisemitic rants, will sell part of its inventory and donate the money to charity, specifically “the organizations that help [Adidas] and were harmed by what Ye said.”
CEO Bjorn Gulden said in an annual shareholders meeting Thursday that the decision was made after months of contemplating, and speaking with those harmed by Ye’s words and actions. Despite the end of Adidas’ partnership, which subsequently resulted in the company’s reported sales loss of 400 million euros ($441 million), Gulden reminded investors that the nine-year partnership between Adidas and Ye was “sensational.”
“He’s the most creative person in our industry,” Gulden said of Ye, noting he’s also difficult. “He created a model with Adidas that was sought after around the world.”
“We lost that in a month,” he concluded.
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.