Skechers says escorted Ye out of LA office after rapper arrived ‘unannounced’

October 27, 2022 - 9:17 AM
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The outside of a Skechers shoe store is seen at Times Square in New York May 2, 2014. Sport shoes maker Skechers USA Inc said on Friday it will explore buying a stake in the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team, whose owner is at the center of a storm over alleged racist remarks. Skechers said it was consulting with its advisers about leading an investment group to acquire an interest in the team. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: BUSINESS SPORT BASKETBALL)/File Photo)

Skechers USA Inc. said on Wednesday its executives escorted Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, out of a Los Angeles corporate office, after the rapper and fashion designer “showed up unannounced and uninvited”.

The footwear maker “has no intention of working with West,” it said in a statement.

Skechers’ comments come a day after sportswear brand Adidas AG ended its partnership with West, following a series of antisemitic comments from the celebrity.

“We condemn his recent divisive remarks and do not tolerate antisemitism or any other form of hate speech,” Skechers said.

Reuters was not immediately able to contact Ye’s representatives for comment.

Apparel company Gap Inc, which terminated its tie-up with West in September, is also taking immediate steps to remove Yeezy Gap products from its stores and shut down YeezyGap.com.

Shares of California-based Skechers were up nearly 1% in extended trading, after closing down nearly 10% on Wednesday.

The company on Tuesday forecast current-quarter sales below Wall Street estimates after missing third-quarter earnings expectations, dented by higher operating costs and a hit from foreign exchange rates.—Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli