Adidas CEO Apologizes for Controversial Kanye West Remarks

Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden has apologized for suggesting that rapper Kanye West did not mean the antisemitic comments he made last year, which led to Adidas cutting ties with him. Gulden apologized to the Anti-Defamation League CEO and affirmed that Adidas opposes the "ugly hate" expressed by West. Adidas confirmed that severing ties with West was the right decision and that their stance has not changed. West's antisemitic remarks on social media resulted in the suspension of his accounts and the termination of partnerships with major brands. Despite the controversy, Yeezy sales remained strong, generating around $437 million in revenue for Adidas in the second quarter of 2023.