
Adidas sells off Kanye West’s Yeezy stockpile, bringing in $1.52 billion in two years
Adidas partnered with Kanye West in 2015 to launch Yeezy, boosting his net worth to $2 billion in 2022.
Adidas partnered with Kanye West in 2015 to launch Yeezy, boosting his net worth to $2 billion in 2022.
This follows a $310 million gain in 2024, when his wealth increased from $8.41 billion to $8.72 billion.
Despite recent setback, Sawiris' wealth is up by $261 million YTD, driven by early 2025 gains and strong performance in his diverse portfolio.
The rise in the market value of his stake in Adidas, from $3.1 billion to $3.35 billion, comes on the back of a strong rally in the company’s shares.
West, also known as Ye, accused Adidas of “design theft and oppression” in a fiery Instagram post, signaling a potential new chapter in their contentious relationship.
His wealth increase puts him among the select African billionaires whose wealth has swelled by over a billion dollars this year.
The new sneaker line has been a smash hit in its first six months on the market, drawing comparisons to the initial triumph of the Yeezy sneakers launched in collaboration with Kanye West.
The recent surge in the share price of Adidas has bolstered Sawiris’ wealth significantly, with his stake now valued at $2.71 billion.
More than a year after a high-profile split with Kanye West, Adidas is stepping up its search for new collaborators, signaling a shift in its strategy.
In October 2022, West faced backlash on social media as Instagram, owned by Meta Platforms Inc., and Twitter, now X, removed anti-Semitic posts from his accounts.
At the time of his untimely passing, Bryant’s net worth was estimated at $600 million.
Adidas held over $1 billion worth of unsold Yeezy inventory in May.
Last year, Adidas ended its lucrative collaboration with West following a series of offensive and antisemitic comments.
Despite the recent $103 million decline in his fortune, Sawiris’ present fortune of $7.51 billion makes him the 303rd richest individual globally.
Despite his setback in 2022, when Adidas severed ties with his Yeezy brand, West remains a top figure among the global Black elite.