Are Yeezys Still Being Made?
The claim in question is whether Yeezy sneakers are still being produced. This inquiry arises from the complex relationship between Adidas and the Yeezy brand, particularly following the controversies surrounding its founder, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West). The situation has evolved significantly over the past year, leading to confusion regarding the current status of Yeezy production.
What We Know
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Adidas' Termination of Partnership: Adidas officially ended its partnership with Ye in October 2022 following a series of controversial statements made by the artist. This decision halted the production of Yeezy-branded products and payments to Ye 2.
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Liquidation of Existing Stock: In early 2023, Adidas announced plans to sell off its remaining Yeezy stock, which was valued at approximately $1.3 billion. The liquidation process began in May 2023, with the last pairs of Yeezy sneakers reportedly sold by March 2025 14.
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Resumption of Releases: Despite the termination of the partnership, Adidas has indicated that it would continue to release Yeezy designs, albeit under its own branding. Reports from 2024 suggest that Yeezy sneaker releases have officially resumed, with new models set to launch 58.
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Sales and Revenue Impact: The financial repercussions of the split were significant for Adidas, with a reported decline in Yeezy-related revenue from $1.3 billion in 2022 to $565 million in 2023 10. This decline prompted Adidas to reconsider its strategy regarding Yeezy products.
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Future Production Plans: As of early 2024, there are indications that Adidas has resumed production of Yeezy designs, but the specifics of this production, including whether it involves Ye or his branding, remain unclear 9.
Analysis
The sources available present a mixed picture regarding the current status of Yeezy production.
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Reliability of Sources:
- Reuters 1 is a reputable news organization known for its accurate reporting, making it a reliable source for the liquidation of Yeezy stock.
- Wikipedia 2, while useful for general information, can be edited by anyone and should be cross-referenced with more authoritative sources.
- Forbes 4 is generally considered credible in financial reporting, although it may have a business-oriented bias.
- Sneaker News 5 and Sole Retriever 9 are niche publications focused on sneaker culture, which may have a vested interest in promoting Yeezy products, potentially introducing bias.
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Conflicts of Interest: Some sources, particularly those focused on sneaker culture and sales, may have a commercial interest in promoting Yeezy products, which could influence their reporting. For instance, articles discussing the resumption of Yeezy releases may be inclined to present a more optimistic outlook to stimulate consumer interest.
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Methodology and Evidence: The evidence regarding the cessation of production is clear, stemming from Adidas' official statements. However, the claims about resumed production in 2024 require further verification, as they rely on reports from sneaker-focused outlets that may not have access to the same level of corporate transparency as mainstream financial news sources.
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Additional Information Needed: To fully understand the current status of Yeezy production, it would be beneficial to have direct statements from Adidas regarding their production plans, as well as insights into any new partnerships Ye may pursue for future Yeezy releases.
Conclusion
Verdict: Mostly True
The claim that Yeezy sneakers are still being made is mostly true, as evidence indicates that while Adidas has officially ended its partnership with Ye and halted production of Yeezy-branded products, it has also announced plans to continue releasing Yeezy designs under its own branding. Reports suggest that new Yeezy sneaker releases have resumed as of 2024, although the specifics of these releases and their connection to Ye remain ambiguous.
It is important to note that the evidence supporting the resumption of Yeezy production comes primarily from sources that may have a vested interest in promoting the brand, which introduces a degree of uncertainty. Additionally, the lack of direct confirmation from Adidas regarding the details of future production complicates the situation further.
Readers should remain cautious and critically evaluate the information available, as the landscape surrounding Yeezy production is still evolving, and definitive statements about the brand's future may be premature.
