Adidas is investigating Kanye West misconduct allegations

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Kanye West loses sponsorship deals after anti-Semitic comments

Kanye West has lost sponsorship deals following anti-Semitic comments from the music star, better known as Ye. impact on the Jewish community.

Adidas says it is investigating allegations of inappropriate conduct at work by the rapper formerly known as Kanye West that former employees made in an anonymous letter also accusing the German sportswear brand of looking the other way.

Adidas, which created its Yeezy line, severed ties with Ye last month over his offensive and anti-Semitic remarks after it came under pressure to follow other brands and companies in ending their partnerships with the rapper. He said he expects to make 250 million euros ($246 million) in his net income this year as a result of the move.

Ye was suspended from Twitter and Instagram for his remarks, but resumed tweeting this month.

Rolling Stone reported speaking to more than two dozen former Yeezy and Adidas employees and obtaining a letter from several former Yeezy employees to the sportswear company alleging that Ye created a toxic work environment by showing sexual photos and videos at meetings, making vulgar comments. and intimidate the people who worked for him. All of the former employees spoke to the magazine on condition of anonymity.

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The letter accused the company of knowing about the problematic behavior and failing to protect employees.

Kanye West at Milk Studios on June 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. adidas and Kanye West announce the future of their partnership: adidas + KANYE WEST (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for ADIDAS)

“It is currently unclear whether the accusations made in an anonymous letter are true. However, we take these allegations very seriously and have made the decision to immediately launch an independent investigation into the matter to address the allegations,” he said. said Claudia Lange, head of media relations for Adidas, said in a statement Friday.

She said the company is not sharing more details about the investigation at this time.

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Ye Last Known Music and his personal representatives did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Adidas also addressed Ye’s previous remarks that led to the company severing its relationship with him, saying on Friday that it “does not tolerate hate speech and offensive behavior and has therefore terminated the adidas Yeezy partnership.”

“We have been and continue to be actively engaged in conversations with our employees about the events leading up (sic) to our decision to end the partnership,” Lange said in the statement. “They have our full support and as we work through the termination details.”

The company, which named a new CEO this month in an expedited timeline for a handover, said it owns the design rights to the products, except for the Yeezy name, and is developing plans for what to do with the existing inventory.

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