Plans to offer more sneakers inspired by Ye but without the Yeezy, branding has been made public by the German sportswear manufacturer. According to Business Insider, the sneakers could go on sale as soon as next year.
Following Kanye West’s anti-Semitic outbursts and contentious remarks, Adidas severed its nine-year partnership with him. Adidas claimed ownership of the designs created in collaboration with Ye during its quarterly earnings call on Wednesday.
Adidas Chief Financial Officer Harm Ohlmeyer declared that the company is the sole owner of all design rights filed for products on the market. “We want to exploit these powers as soon as 2023,” they said.
Adidas just said that it owns “all the versions and new hues,” without going into further detail about its future plans. The Yeezy Slide is an exception, for which Ye has the patent.
Adidas also disclosed during its quarterly report that the termination of the Yeezy partnership would result in its yearly sales being $502 million less than anticipated this year. In the past, Adidas estimated that it would lose $246 million this year alone.
Adidas will however save about $302 million in 2023 as a result of the royalties and marketing expenses it will no longer incur as a result of the Yeezy business.
Adidas hasn’t made it clear if they intend to throw away current stock or keep it for a future release. Ohlmeyer stated that “we need to take our time to assess what the best possibilities are.” When the time is appropriate, we’ll be more specific.
Adidas has been accused of stealing Ye’s designs, including the Yeezy Slide, in the past. Adidas was also criticized by him for launching “Yeezy Day” without his consent and for not opening any Yeezy retail locations.
He turned to the company’s CEO, Kasper Rrsted, and declared, “I’m not standing for this obvious copying anymore.” “These shoes stand for the disregard that many in positions of authority have for talent.”
