Adidas

Nike announced it was suspending its relationship with Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving and would not release the Kyrie 8 shoe following Irving's use of his ...

Hate speech and actions by those in prominent positions entice others to act similarly and give people the idea that these actions are acceptable in today’s sociocultural environment. The fallout with Ye and the company’s slow response, as perceived by its consumers and industry experts, may add to an already difficult year. The company’s swift move to cancel the Irving deal came on the heels of its primary competitor, Adidas, being criticized for taking too long to make the right decision in a similar case. The company has had three challenging years due to the pandemic and geopolitical tensions. A stakeholder approach means making decisions based on the many entities vested in the company, such as customers, suppliers, media, communities, and employees. As companies have been putting more emphasis on doing the right thing by focusing on a stakeholder approach to the business, they are being called out to stand up and walk the walk.