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Adidas Sued for Kanye West Partnership Risks
4 Dec
Summary
- Investors allege Adidas knew of West's conduct for years.
- Adidas misled shareholders about partnership risks.
- Court ruled a reasonable investor knew celebrity deals carry risks.
Adidas is facing a lawsuit from investors who claim the company was aware of Kanye West's controversial behavior for an extended period. The suit alleges that Adidas failed to disclose these risks to shareholders, despite internal knowledge of West's conduct. This legal challenge comes after the significant financial fallout from the terminated Yeezy brand collaboration.
The German sportswear giant ultimately saw its share price decline following the breakdown of the partnership. The Yeezy line, known for its lucrative luxury sneakers, generated substantial revenue for Adidas prior to the controversy. The termination left Adidas with over €1 billion in unsold Yeezy inventory.
In a recent ruling, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous dismissal of the case. The court stated that a reasonable investor would understand that partnering with a celebrity like West carries inherent risks of improper behavior. Adidas has since announced plans to sell remaining Yeezy products and donate a portion of the proceeds.
