Ex-NBA Star Accuses $42.6 Bil Adidas of Stealing Kanye’s Sneakers for Anthony Edwards

Michael Jordan revolutionized the sneaker game in the NBA community. And Nike since then has had major success in the basketball world. However, their biggest rival, Adidas, failed to replicate a similar success. Whether it be losing LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, the German sportswear brand has struggled to achieve Nike-like fame in the league. And now more recently, ex-NBA star Sebastian Telfair has accused the brand with a $42.6 Billion market cap of copying Kanye West’s sneakers for Anthony Edwards.

This came from Telfair after a discussion of Edward’s Adidas commercial during a recent episode of VLAD TV. “I feel Adidas stole Kanye’s sneaker and gave it to Ant. It’s the same design as Kanye. The same silhouette…” he said. Even DJ Vlad agreed on the similarity between the two. The sneakers in the discussion are Kanye West’s Yeezy. And the Anthony Edwards sneakers, whether it be AE 1 New Wave Basketball Shoes, or AE 1 Velocity shoes.

Both the sneakers have the same silhouette (shape/model) as that of YEEZY Foam Runners. Although the colorway is obviously different. Edwards grabbed a deal with Adidas quite early in his career, after being the first pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

As per the reports, the terms of the deal between the German sportswear brand and the Minnesota Timberwolves star did not come to light back then. Anthony Edwards’ Adidas AE 1 debuted in December 2023, after West’s run with the brand ended in October 2022. This came after the rapper’s antisemitic and other offensive comments on social media and interviews.

Adidas suffered a major loss after losing Kanye West

As per a 2024 article by Billboard, the brand posted its first loss in three decades. And the primary cause behind this was a financial hit from an end to West’s deal. As per the article, Adidas had around $1.3 billion worth of Yeezy sneakers piled up in warehouses.

While the company sold some shoes from the batches, it also donated a major portion to anti-hate groups. As per the statement by Adidas, the company planned to donate nearly $152 million worth of sneakers. Selling a big portion of the remaining sneakers in the batch helped to pull out a significant operating profit, as claimed by the company.

The German sportswear giant blamed the high tax rate for having to close the year with a net loss of €58 million in 2023 as compared to a €254 million profit a year earlier. However, the company CEO then, Bjørn Gulden, claimed, “Although by far not good enough, 2023 ended better than what I had expected at the beginning of the year”. As for Anthony Edwards, the 2x All-Star’s Adidas sneakers have been a hit among the fans so far.

What do you think about AE’s sneakers? Let us know in the comments below.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.