Jewish groups have commended Adidas for donating part of its Yeezy profits to anti-hate charities.
Adidas broke ties with West last year after he made a series of antisemitic statements, leaving them with over a billion pounds worth of Yeezy shoes.
Nearly a year later, the company has pledged €100 million to Jewish charities after an initial donation of €10 million. Adidas’ Chief Financial Officer said that further donations were also possible.
Donations will go to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change and Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism.
In a statement, Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden said: “This is much better than destroying and writing off inventory, and allows us to make substantial donations”.
Adidas told Associated Press that the total donations would not be a fixed percentage of sales, but an agreed upon appropriate amount. They did not comment on whether West would receive royalties, but said that contractual obligations would be honoured.
The company broke with West after pressure from Jewish organisations – a petition launched by the CAA received over 180,000 signatures. Other companies also cut ties with the rapper.
West made a series of antisemitic statements in 2022, including publicly praising Adolf Hitler, and denying the Holocaust. He also identified himself as a Nazi.
A spokesperson from the ADL told The JC: “This is a thoughtful and caring resolution for the unsold merchandise. It is consistent with our prior private conversations with Adidas leadership after the Ye debacle – and we are glad that they now are taking this public step”.
They continued: “Any attempt to turn the consequences of his actions into something that ultimately benefits society and the people he has hurt is most welcome”.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) told the Jewish Chronicle: “The awareness that the policy raises could be greater even than the considerable financial impact for a charity”.
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