State Champ Radio Adidas
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In a groundbreaking collaboration, global music phenom Bad Bunny and soccer legend Lionel Messi join forces to introduce a pioneering Adidas shoe line that epitomizes the golden juncture of sport and music: the Bad Bunny x Messi collection, scheduled to launch on Saturday (Oct. 26).
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Bad Bunny — whose dynamism has vaulted him from top-tier festivals to the upper echelons of global music icons — shared how their initial meeting was imbued with mutual insight and enthusiasm for this collection. “That first encounter with Messi was incredible. From the moment we got together, the vibe was good,” revealed the Puerto Rican superstar in an exclusive interview with Billboard Español. “We talked about our visions and what we wanted to achieve with the collection. Both of us are passionate about what we do, and that shows in every idea we shared. It was a smooth and natural process, and I will never forget it.”
Bad Bunny
Inoni Etel
The collection reimagines Adidas heritage through two iconic silhouettes: the Adidas Gazelle and the Adidas F50 cleat, each embodying the essence of its muse. The creative infusion is very personal, with references to their roots and triumphs. “I think we brought both my style and Messi’s into it, primarily basing it on the naturalness with which each of us approaches what we do. We were inspired by a 1949 Adidas shoe that featured the natural brown colors of leather,” noted Bad Bunny.
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Lionel Messi, meanwhile, spoke to Billboard Español about the role music plays in his life. “Music is connected to many aspects of life. Not only to soccer, although it is true that there is a special connection between both worlds, but also to moments of leisure, to workouts in the gym, to trips while driving,” he said. “Music is something I like very much and is present in several moments of my daily life,” he added, also mentioning that Bad Bunny is an artist that is “never missing” in his playlists.
Building on the theme of collaboration, Bad Bunny recalled a standout moment during the creative process: “A memorable moment for me was when we started to shape the vision for this collaboration. Working with someone as iconic as Messi and seeing how we each brought ideas and concepts to the table was truly unique.”
This venture’s momentum is fueled by the unwavering support of their global following via Adidas’ La Voz de los Fans campaign. “The fans’ influence has been fundamental in our careers, and this collaboration would not have happened without their passion,” Benito highlighted. “They inspire us to keep evolving and experimenting on every project. This campaign is a reflection of that connection, because without the fans, none of this would be possible.”
On the impact of his worldwide following, Lionel Messi also conveyed a sense of honor coupled with duty. “I am aware that there are a lot of people who follow me and a lot of kids too. For me it is a pride and a great responsibility,” said the Argentine global champion. “I always tried to be myself, but bearing in mind that there are people who notice me, who follow me and support me every day.”
Lionel Messi
Inoni Etel
The collection, showcasing designs like the ‘X’ stripe heel and blue accents linking to Adidas’ heritage, transcends traditional sportswear to embody shared greatness and artistic synergy. Each piece is an homage, a collective memory crafted for the pitch and the playlists.
Both megastars see this collection as a symbol for future generations, exemplifying the merger of their realms and standing as a testament to collaborative greatness. “With Bad Bunny x Messi we hope to create a legacy that reflects this unique collaboration, inspiring new generations to follow their passions and work hard to achieve their dreams. We want this collaboration to become a symbol of unity for our Latino community and for the future,” said Bad Bunny.
As Messi and Bad Bunny continue to redefine paradigms in their fields, this collaboration is not just a testament to their stardom but a celebration of the crossroads of culture, music and sports.
The Bad Bunny x Messi collection is set to drop both online and in select flagship stores. For more info, visit adidas.com/badbunny and adidas.com/lionel_messi.
Adidas AG has won a court order dismissing a class-action lawsuit that claims the German sneaker giant violated securities laws by failing to warn its shareholders about Ye’s offensive behavior.
The case claimed that Adidas knew about serious problems with Ye (formerly Kanye West) as far back as 2018 but failed to disclose them, leaving investors facing losses when the company finally ended the partnership in 2022 over Ye’s antisemitic tirades and erratic behavior.
In a ruling Friday (Aug. 16), Judge Karin Immergut said she did not condone Ye’s conduct “erratic, inappropriate, and antisemitic” behavior and said it was “troubling” that it had happened at Adidas, but that it did not rise to the level of securities fraud.
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“The question before this court is not whether to admonish Ye or hold Adidas morally accountable for Ye’s conduct,” Immergut wrote. “Rather, this Court is faced with a precise legal question: has Plaintiff sufficiently pleaded facts showing that Adidas misled investors and thereby committed federal securities fraud? On the current record before this Court, the answer is no.”
Adidas ran a lucrative collaboration with Ye and his Yeezy apparel brand for nearly a decade. But the party ended in 2022, when the sneaker company (and many others) cut ties with the embattled rapper amid a wave of offensive statements he made about Jewish people. In an October 2022 statement announcing the split, Adidas said the rapper’s statements were “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous.”
It’s been a messy breakup for Adidas. The split contributed to a loss of $655 million in sales for the last three months of 2022 and left Adidas holding $1.3 billion worth of unsold Yeezys and facing tricky questions about how to dispose of them responsibly. Adidas also battled Ye in court over millions in company funds and disclosed that it was litigating other aspects of the divorce in private arbitration.
In May 2023, a group of investors took Adidas to court over the breakup, arguing that Adidas executives had been aware for years of the potential harm that could come from the Ye partnership but had failed to publicly share such concerns with shareholders, as required by U.S. securities law.
In particular, the lawsuit cited a November 2022 Wall Street Journal article reporting that Adidas executives feared for years that the Yeezy relationship could “blow up at any moment.” The article reported that West had made antisemitic comments in front of Adidas staffers, including suggesting that an album be named after Adolf Hitler. The Journal story also highlighted a 2018 presentation to then-CEO Kasper Rørsted that detailed the risks of the arrangement and contemplated cutting ties with him.
But in Friday’s ruling, Judge Immergut sided with arguments from Adidas that the company’s disclosure statements had not misled investors about the risk posed by Ye. In one passage, she reminded the plaintiffs that Ye had shown signs of erratic behavior well before the split with Adidas — quoting statements in which he said that “racism is a dated concept” and that slavery was a “choice.”
“This court would be remiss not to note the very public nature of Ye’s behavior before Fall 2022,” the judge wrote. “After all, courts are not required to exhibit a naiveté from which ordinary citizens are free.”
The judge gave the investors one final chance to refile an updated version of their case against Adidas, but she cast doubt on whether they could overcome the problems she had identified in her ruling.
Attorneys for both sides did not immediately return a request for comment.
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Source: Cameron Spencer / Getty
Back in the day it was most athletes’ dream to get a signature sneaker from the Swoosh brand, Nike, but as of late it seems like adidas has been stealing a lot of their thunder. Now, an Olympic Gold medalist seems to prefer three stripes to a swoosh, if he can have it his way.
According to Nice Kicks, Noah Lyles let the world know that he wanted his own signature shoe with adidas right after he took home the gold medal In the Paris Olympics 100-Meter sprint. Beating out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by just tenths of a second in a pair of adidas Y-3 track spikes, the new fastest man in the world expressed his desire for a signature sneaker with the three-stripe brand in a post-race interview.
Nice Kicks reports:
“I want my own trainer,” he said. “Dead serious… I want a sneaker. There ain’t no money in spikes. There’s money in sneakers.”
If adidas were to make Lyles a signature shoe, he’d join the history books once more, this time in the world of sneakers joining legendary Michael Johnson and Allyson Felix as the only American sprinter with a shoe.
Johnson, who released the Nike Air Zoom JST in 1998 following the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and Felix, who left Nike and started her own footwear brand Saysh, set enough precedence for the Three Stripes to meet the demand of fans and athletes alike who aspire to performan at the highest level.
adidas would be fools to pass up this opportunity. Not only has the man earned it, but he bluntly stated he wants adidas over any other brand as his home. Not many athletes would say such a thing.
What do y’all think? Should adidas welcome Noah Lyles to their family? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: adidas Originals / adidas Originals
Just when it seemed like adidas’ popularity was dead in the water following their breakup with Kanye West and the “cancelation” of his Yeezy line (they’re still being sold randomly), they’ve found a new lifeline in a silhouette that’s currently got the streets on fire (after the Samba).
According to Highsnobiety, the Adidas “SL 72” has become the new “It” sneaker as of late and though it seemed like Adidas had a hit with their “Samba” line, the retro SL 72 running sneaker seems to be emerging as its most popular silhouette in 2024. Though Adidas has been releasing it’s remaining stock of it’s Yeezy line over the past year and change, it’s popularity never recovered thanks to Kanye’s off the wall antics and statements.
Per Highsnobiety:
LYST’s quarterly ranking of the hottest fashion brands and items reveals that adidas’ SL72 OG — a retro running shoe that has quietly charmed designers and celebrities alike — is Q2’s second-hottest product.
It’s worth noting that Hadid has also co-signed adidas’ SL72 — she even appeared in a campaign for the sneaker, though the brand apparently dropped the advertisement over backlash to Hadid’s support of Palestine. (Whether adidas’ decision will affect the popularity of the silhouette remains to be seen.)
Regardless, we’re more than happy to move on from the Samba, for reasons that may or may not have to do with Rishi Sunak.
adidas is counting its lucky stars that so many people have a craving for yesteryear’s fashion. Heck, even baggy pants are making a comeback! Who would’ve thought? Once you see rappers or singers start rocking bellbottoms on the regular, it’s a wrap.
What do y’all think about adidas SL 72 being one of the hottest kicks out on these streets? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Prince Williams / Getty / Cam’ron
Cam’ron had plenty to say about Anthony Edwards keeping receipts in his latest adidas commercial.
One thing Cam’ron is not here for is people calling him out. The rapper and now sports talk show host had time for the Minnesota Timberwolves phenom and iconic sportswear company.
The open wound left after the Dallas Mavericks made short work of the Timberwolves in the NBA Western Conference Finals hasn’t even healed yet, but that didn’t stop Edwards from dropping a new AD, letting his haters know he is literally keeping receipts.
In the pretty clever spot for his impressive AE 1 signature basketball shows, Edward’s friend reads comments that were printing out of a receipt machine while he continues to practice on his game.
One of those receipts showed the Dipset co-founder saying about Edwards, “To me, he’s an All-Star, but not a superstar yet.” In response, Edwards says, “f*ck buddy.”
Cam’ron’s Petty Was On Another Level
Cam’ron shared the commercial on his Instagram account with the caption, “#Fuckbuddy 😂😂🔥🔥🔥 commercial!! Thx @adidas for the love. And I had antman back this whole time but I’ll address this Monday on the show.. love the attitude tho. Only thing I would say is get a better looking lesbian to read the receipts.”
Oof, why did homie have to catch a stray like that?
Utilizing his popular sports debate show, It Is What Is, Cam’ron had free smoke for the professional hooper and adidas in the form of freestyle over Black Rob’s “Whoa” beat while rocking a Luka Doncic jersey.
“But f**k wrong with Ant-Man, gave him his props, homie got love from me, new commercial, y’all ain’t got love for me,” Killa Cam raps.
Cam’ron wasn’t done there.
He then came with his own receipts in the form of a “documentary” he is making linking adidas brand footwear with memorable sports injuries like Kevin Ware’s gruesome leg injury he sustained while hooping.
He’s so petty.
We hope cooler heads can prevail. It’s kind of lame of Killa Cam to revisit Kevin Ware’s injury in this manner.
You can see reactions to Cam’ron dissing adidas and Anthony Edwards in the gallery below.
1. Petty levels off the charts.
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Source: adidas/merkyfc / adidas/merkyfc
Stormzy and adidas are giving back to the people in a major way. The UK rapper and the brand have opened the #MerkyFC community center in London.
As spotted on Hype Beast, Stormzy is taking his partnership with the global sports apparel company to the next level. This week he announced that he is extended his #Merky FC (Football Careers) brand to a brick and mortar footprint. According to their website #Merky FC HQ is a football and community center in Selhurst, designed to nurture the voices of tomorrow Purpose-built with a full size 3G pitch, recording studio and gaming room, it’s a safe space for all to express themselves.”
The “Cry No More” performer shared his excitement in a formal statement. “I’m gassed that we can finally open the doors to #Merky FC HQ. Working with adidas, I’ve wanted to do this for a long, long time and now there’s a community space that everyone in the area will be able to use and benefit from” he said “When I was growing up there was nothing like this around for young people, so it means a lot that we now have a facility like this in Croydon. Proper homegrown!”
#Merky FC HQ is located at Selhurst Sports Arena and will be open Monday through Sunday from 8AM-10PM. You can see the promotional trailer below.
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Source: Jonathan Leibson / Getty
adidas announced that they would be donating millions of dollars from the sales of their remaining Yeezy shoes to anti-hate groups.
On Wednesday (March 13), the German sportswear giant adidas announced that they were planning to, and in some cases, already donated $150 million to groups fighting antisemitism and other forms of hate from the sales of their remaining stock of Yeezy shoes. The company had an estimated $1.3 billion worth of sneakers created from its partnership with Ye aka Kanye West in their warehouses.
The company began to sell its remaining stock in batches after severing ties with West in October 2022 after his tirade of antisemitic and other hateful comments on social media and in interviews. After the dissolution, adidas sold off Yeezy shoes in two batch releases in 2023 and launched another release sale on Feb. 26 of this year. Part of the proceeds that have been donated have gone to such groups as the Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change, run by social justice advocate Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd (who was the subject of one of Kanye West’s rants) as well as the Anti-Defamation League.
adidas reported that the sales helped stabilize their operating profits at $283 million last year – it still wound up leaving the company facing a deficit of 60% in comparison to 2022. “Although by far not good enough, 2023 ended better than what I had expected at the beginning of the year,” said adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden, the former footballer who took over the position at the beginning of 2023 and advocated for the move to sell the Yeezys and donate part of the proceeds. The company expects to improve about 10% in growth over the second half of 2024 with more emphasis on other shoes and a boost from the Olympic Games this summer in Paris, according to its earnings report.
Ye isn’t too happy with adidas’ sales of his Yeezys. As the new batch release sale began in February with the “Steel Grey” 350 V2 version, he voiced his displeasure in the caption of a now-deleted Instagram post. “Anybody who loves Ye would not buy these fake Yeezys I never made these color ways I’m not getting paid off of them and adidas is suing me,” he wrote, adding: “All the new non-approved 350’s are cooorny and everybody know the 350 been corny.”
LONDON (AP) — Adidas said Wednesday that it’s donated or is planning to give away more than $150 million to groups fighting antisemitism and other forms of hate from the sales of Yeezy shoes last year after it severed ties with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West.
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The German sportswear brand had 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) worth of popular Yeezy sneakers piled up in warehouses after it broke off its partnership with Ye in October 2022 over his antisemitic and other offensive comments on social media and in interviews.
Adidas decided to sell some of the remaining shoes in batches, with two releases last year and another that launched late last month, and donate a portion of the proceeds to anti-hate groups.
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The company has made donations to the Anti-Defamation League and the Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change, run by social justice advocate Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd.
Net sales of what’s left of Adidas’ former banner line of sneakers brought in about 750 million euros last year, compared with over 1.2 billion euros in 2022, the company reported.
Of the 300 million-euro profit it earned from the sales of Yeezy shoes last year, the company said it had given away or planned to donate over 140 million euros (about $152 million).
Adidas said deciding to sell a big chunk of its Yeezy inventory and improved operations helped it pull out operating profit of 268 million euros last year, a nearly 60% plunge from the previous year. It blamed a high tax rate for ending the year with a net loss of 58 million euros, a massive turnaround from net income of 254 million euros in 2022.
“Although by far not good enough, 2023 ended better than what I had expected at the beginning of the year,” said CEO Bjørn Gulden, who took over the top job last year.
Looking forward, Adidas expects to make about 250 million euros in sales of the remaining Yeezy shoes this year.
But the Herzogenaurach, Germany-based company points to North America as a persistent problem spot, expecting revenue to decline in the mid-single digits this year and grow everywhere else. It said that North America was “particularly affected by the negative Yeezy impact” and that revenue there dropped 16% last year.
Adidas expects to almost double operating profit to about 500 million euros this year despite “macroeconomic challenges and geopolitical tensions.” It plans to further scale up popular shoe lines like Samba that are seeing “extraordinary demand,” launch new ones and get a boost from major sports events like the Paris Olympics this summer.
Adidas shares were up slightly in late morning trading.
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Source: @kanyewest / Instagram
adidas has just started the process of selling off their remaining Yeezy stock via the raffle system on their Confirmed app. But we don’t think Kanye West for one will be attempting to secure a pair as he took to social media to discourage his fans from buying into the Yeezy hype.
Though adidas has been slowly selling off their remaining Yeezy inventory since last year without a peep from Kanye West, apparently, this time around, Yeezy felt a way about the Yeezys being sold in 2024. Not too long after adidas announced that the raffles were open for what could be the final round of Yeezy drops, Kanye West took to his IG page with a message for both adidas and his faithful fans. “Anybody who loves Ye would not buy these fake Yeezys. I never made these color ways, I’m not getting paid off of them and adidas is suing me,” Kanye said.
We lowkey thought this colorway was made to match the titanium dentures that Kanye’s been sporting for quite some time now. We guess not.
Aside from the post on his IG page, Kanye dropped a video talking about his situation with adidas reiterating that they’re currently suing him for $250 million and not giving him a cut of the sales from his sneaker line. Saying that adidas is “raping him” via his business contract, Kanye hopes that his followers turn their back on the three-stripe brand in his name and let these sneakers brick upon arrival.
Whether or not this will dissuade sneakerheads from purchasing anymore Yeezys is anyone’s guess. But at this point, we feel like adidas has moved enough of their remaining Yeezy stock to hold a few L’s here and there.
Check out Kanye West’s video below, and sound off in the comments section with your thoughts about the situation.
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Source: adidas / adidas
Kanye West might be on the outs of pop culture due to his wild antisemitic rants, but his Adidas line of sneakers still move like we were living in the pre-MAGA era out on these streets and there’s still more to come.
According to Highsnobiety, Adidas will continue to unload the remainder of their Yeezy stock in the coming months as they did throughout 2023 with word being that this will be the last of it’s inventory before Yeezy is officially done at the three stripes brand. While many assumed that anything Kanye related would brick upon release due to the backlash he garnered for his antisemitic comments in 2022, when Adidas began to drop their Yeezy stock last year, the line immediately sold out.
Now that they’ve seen there’s still a market for the Yeezy line, Adidas is looking to sell whatever’s left before the end of the year though no release date has been set as of yet.
Highsnobiety reports:
According to YEEZY-obsessed leakers, though, the restock is nearly upon us. They’re certain that it rolls out throughout all of March 2024, reportedly beginning March 7 until the month’s end.
And, of course, they’ve already got the YEEZY droplist loaded up.
adidas’ final YEEZY drop will reportedly include the a variety of classic shoe styles, including the YEEZY Slide in Dark Onyx, Salt, and Slate Grey, YEEZY BOOST 500 in Stone Salt and Taupe; YEEZY FOAM RNNR in Granite and Carbon.
Other sneakers will likely join the droplist as the month goes on.
Once Adidas finally unloads the remainder of their Yeezy stock, that might be it for Kanye West’s run in the sneaker industry. Though fans have been speculating a return to Nike as he’s been spotted rocking Air Force 1’s and Nike gloves as of late, we seriously doubt that Nike would take on the backlash and controversy that would surely follow Kanye West back to the swoosh brand.
What do y’all think of Adidas selling the remainder of their Yeezy stock? Are you going to copp or nah? Let us know in the comments section below.
