Kanye West loved being a billionaire and enjoyed the consistent plateaus of success his creative mind has willed into fruition.
However, since his stream of consciousness across various media outlets and polarizing statements emblazoned on his clothing, the man known simply as ‘Ye” is suffering the biggest fall from financial grace ever seen in the modern digital era. Kanye West is no longer a billionaire.
With that financial plummet and his constant insistence on exposing what he feels are the control mechanisms that are stopping his forward momentum, the question now is will any of his Donda Sports roster stay with him?
“First, I don’t condone any hurt, harm, or danger toward any group of people or individuals whatsoever,” said Brown to the Boston Globe, before the Celtics star announced on Tuesday that he would be leaving the agency along with Los Angeles Rams baller Aaron Donald.
“I’ve been a member of my community, trying to uplift my community, and I’m going to continue to do that.
“A lot of time goes into creating an entity or organization,” Brown continued. “The reason why I signed with Donda Sports, it represented education, it represented activism, disruption, it represented single-parent households, and a lot more people are involved in something like that. A lot of people that I work with, work with their families, build love and respect for, spending time in the summer. A lot of people involved. That’s what the organization, from my vantage point from Donda Sports, represented.
“I think it continues to represent that and it’s a sensitive topic for a lot of people. But a lot of stuff you see me doing in the community and you’ve already seen me doing in the community is a direct translation from what that organization has stood for.”
It didn’t take long for Brown to totally break ties with Donda, citing West’s “recent comments and displays of hate and antisemitism.”
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) October 25, 2022
Donald felt the same and also expressed his actions in a statement.
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) October 25, 2022
Both of these defections came on Tuesday after Adidas ended its partnership with Ye primarily after his comments about the Jewish community that many deemed anti-Semitic statements. Adidas’ decision has also cost Ye his coveted billionaire status.
“Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness,” the company said in a statement.
“After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies. Adidas will stop the Adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect.”
Forbes estimated the value of West’s Adidas deal as adding $1.5 billion to his net worth. Without the Adidas deal, his net worth has plummeted to $400 million through a combination of his music catalog, real estate, and 5 percent stake in estranged wife Kim Kardashian’s shapewear company, Skims. Additionally, the Gap immediately removed his Yeezy branded products from its stores.
“Antisemitism, racism and hate in any form are inexcusable and not tolerated in accordance with our values,” the Gap said in a statement.
In September, the clothing retailer said it was planning to sell through its remaining Yeezy inventory and then end its partnership with Ye.
However, Brown took a more sympathetic tone to West’s newfound problems at first.
“He’s someone who’s obviously dealing with a lot of adversity that’s in front of him right now and everybody can see it and it’s public,” Brown continued. “But a lot of people in the world are dealing with adversity and things that are going on that’s in front of them and they need help. It’s a lot going on right now.”
Despite the diplomacy, Brown realized that his brand could not be associated with someone — especially a Black man —who is perceived as anti-Semitic.
Kanye West wanted the world, and he received it in full. Losing the two biggest brand names on the Donda roster is a terrible blow to Kanye’s reputation and venture into the sports world. Now his blessings might be what also destroys him.
