Adidas CEO Apologizes to ADL’s Greenblatt for Saying He Doesn’t Think Kanye West is a ‘Bad Person’
Chris Menahan
Adidas Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden issued an apology to Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt for saying on a podcast earlier this week that he doesn’t think Kanye “Ye” West is a “bad person” despite his “unfortunate” statements.
“Good to speak with @Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden this morning. Bjorn apologized for his misstatement & reiterated that Adidas is committed to fighting #antisemitism & is completely opposed to the ugly hate expressed by @kanyewest,” Greenblatt announced Thursday on Twitter. “Glad Adidas, @ADL & @FCASorg are working together to #FightHateForGood.”
Good to speak with @Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden this morning. Bjorn apologized for his misstatement & reiterated that Adidas is committed to fighting #antisemitism & is completely opposed to the ugly hate expressed by @kanyewest. Glad Adidas, @ADL & @FCASorg are working together to…
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) September 21, 2023
Gulden said in a podcast that Ye made some statements that weren’t “good” and he found the situation “very unfortunate because I don’t think he meant what he said and I don’t think he’s a bad person — it just came across that way.”
This is what Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden had to say on the previous incidents with Kanye West pic.twitter.com/PbJKZiApeW
— TheStockroom (@TheStockroomUK) September 21, 2023
Adidas further apologized in a statement to Bloomberg, writing: “Our decision to end our partnership with Ye because of his unacceptable comments and behavior was absolutely the right one. Our stance has not changed: Hate of any kind has no place in sports or society, and we remain committed to fighting it.”
Twitter/X owner Elon Musk revealed earlier this month that the “extremely powerful” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt — who was “instrumental” in getting President Trump banned from social media — also sought to shake him down for donations just like he did to Adidas, the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving.
Because the answer is “Yes!” regarding seeking donations, hence JG’s refusal to answer the question.
JG instead went on the attack, implying that Sorkin, despite being Jewish, is somehow an anti-Semite just for asking a basic conflict-of-interest question! 🤣
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 6, 2023
Greenblatt told The Breakfast Club last year that he organized the cancelation of Ye because “if we don’t get him” then the “myth” of Jewish power will spread.
How is this a real clip?
The ADL CEO responds to Charlamagne about proving Ye right. pic.twitter.com/5poqEnTkoq
— An0maly (@LegendaryEnergy) December 8, 2022
