Current:Home > StocksAdidas Apologizes for Bella Hadid Ad Campaign Referencing 1972 Munich Olympics -Elevate Capital Network
Adidas Apologizes for Bella Hadid Ad Campaign Referencing 1972 Munich Olympics
TradeEdge Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 13:57:09
Adidas has issued an apology over a controversial campaign featuring Bella Hadid that paid tribute to the 1972 Munich Olympics.
This week, the footwear brand shared ads showing the supermodel—whose father Mohamed Hadid is Palestinian—wearing retro red SL72 sneakers commemorating the games, during which gunmen from the Palestinian militant group Black September raided the Olympic Village and killed 11 members of the Israeli team, with nine murdered after being held hostage.
While the campaign also featured celebs such as soccer star Jules Koundé, the ads with Bella sparked an online backlash that included calls to boycott the German company, as well as condemnation from Israel's official X account. All the promotional photos were then removed from the brand's social media and its website.
“We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical event—though these are completely unintentional—and we apologize for any upset or distress caused," Adidas said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports July 18. “As a result, we are revising the remainder of the campaign."
The company added, "We believe in sport as a unifying force around the world and will continue our efforts to champion diversity and equality in everything we do."
Hadid, who was born in the United States and calls herself a "proud Palestinian," has long been vocal in her support for the Palestinian people on social media.
The 27-year-old has often spoken out against Israel's ongoing military action in Gaza, which has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, per NBC News.
Israel began its offensive after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in a cross-border raid into Israel Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies.
Hadid has not commented on the removal of the ads. E! News has reached out to her rep and has not heard back.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (518)
Related
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Sabrina Carpenter Shares Her Self
- Beyoncé takes home first award in country music category at 2024 Billboard Music Awards
- Kylie Kelce's podcast 'Not Gonna Lie' tops Apple, Spotify less than a week after release
- PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Wednesday August 7, 2024
- China's ruling Communist Party expels former chief of sports body
- What was 2024's best movie? From 'The Substance' to 'Conclave,' our top 10
- Sabrina Carpenter reveals her own hits made it on her personal Spotify Wrapped list
- A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
- When does 'No Good Deed' come out? How to watch Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow's new dark comedy
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
- American who says he crossed into Syria on foot is freed after 7 months in detention
- SCDF aids police in gaining entry to cluttered Bedok flat, discovers 73
- When does 'No Good Deed' come out? How to watch Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow's new dark comedy
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- I loved to hate pop music, until Chappell Roan dragged me back
- This house from 'Home Alone' is for sale. No, not that one.
- Sabrina Carpenter reveals her own hits made it on her personal Spotify Wrapped list
Recommendation
Billy Bean was an LGBTQ advocate and one of baseball's great heroes
East Coast storm makes a mess at ski resorts as strong winds cause power outages
SCDF aids police in gaining entry to cluttered Bedok flat, discovers 73
Manager of pet grooming salon charged over death of corgi that fell off table
Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
Taxpayers could get $500 'inflation refund' checks under New York proposal: What to know
Trump will be honored as Time’s Person of the Year and ring the New York Stock Exchange bell
The Voice Season 26 Crowns a New Winner