In response to Kanye West’s latest anti-Semitic remarks, Foot Locker has removed all Yeezys from their shelves. The decision came on Tuesday, hours after Adidas announced that they would also be severing ties with Ye.
“Foot Locker, Inc. does not tolerate any form of antisemitism, or hateful and discriminatory behavior,” the footwear retailers’ statement read. Foot Locker also said that while they are still partnered with Adidas, they will not carry any future Yeezy product.
All 874 Foot Locker stores were told to shelve all Yeezys and other merchandise in the back room “until further notice”, per an employee memo. The decision came after Adidas said that they would be ending their $1.5 billion deal with Kanye.
Brands who have also cut ties with Kanye West and Yeezys
Vogue, Balenciaga and CAA had previously severed their own deals with West after his controversial tweet from October 9. “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up, I’m going death con 3 on Jewish people,” Kanye wrote.
GAP, who also had a collaboration with Ye, announced on Tuesday that they would be removing Yeezy Gap products from their stores. Furthermore, they would also be shutting down their website YeezyGap.com.
In addition, athletes Aaron Donald and Jaylen Brown announced on social media that they would be departing from West’s sports-marketing agency, Donda Sports. The agency was founded by the Chicago rapper earlier this year, with former NFL receiver Antonio Brown serving as its president.
While Kanye continues to own Yeezy LLC, his future in fashion and apparel is far from certain. Collaborating with fashion houses and retail chains allowed Ye to have access to creative talent. Losing these partnerships also means losing access to product distribution.
“I doubt there is an immediate future for Kanye West in fashion,” luxury analyst Luca Solca said. Solca explained that a “long period of atonement” will be necessary before brands decide to collab with Ye.
Neither Kanye nor his representatives have responded to requests for comment.
Written by Olan Bryant
