Current:Home > FinanceAdidas Apologizes for Bella Hadid Ad Campaign Referencing 1972 Munich Olympics -Infinite Edge Capital
Adidas Apologizes for Bella Hadid Ad Campaign Referencing 1972 Munich Olympics
View
Date:2025-04-17 13:13:31
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! (4943)
Related
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Nelly will not face charges after St. Louis casino arrest for drug possession
- Today Reveals Hoda Kotb's Replacement
- Giuliani’s lawyers after $148M defamation judgment seek to withdraw from his case
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
- Donna Kelce Includes Sweet Nod to Taylor Swift During Today Appearance With Craig Melvin
- Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian Team Up for SKIMS Collab With Dolce & Gabbana After Feud
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Ex-Phoenix Suns employee files racial discrimination, retaliation lawsuit against the team
Ranking
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- 'Treacherous conditions' in NYC: Firefighters battling record number of brush fires
- Nelly will not face charges after St. Louis casino arrest for drug possession
- Advocacy group sues Tennessee over racial requirements for medical boards
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Mississippi expects only a small growth in state budget
- Nelly will not face charges after St. Louis casino arrest for drug possession
- The state that cleared the way for sports gambling now may ban ‘prop’ bets on college athletes
Recommendation
Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
Diamond Sports Group can emerge out of bankruptcy after having reorganization plan approved
What is ‘Doge’? Explaining the meme and cryptocurrency after Elon Musk's appointment to D.O.G.E.
What is best start in NBA history? Five teams ahead of Cavaliers' 13-0 record
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
4 arrested in California car insurance scam: 'Clearly a human in a bear suit'
Powerball winning numbers for Nov. 13 drawing: Jackpot rises to $113 million
RHOBH's Erika Jayne Reveals Which Team She's on Amid Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley Feud