Current:Home > ContactAdidas Apologizes for Bella Hadid Ad Campaign Referencing 1972 Munich Olympics -FundPrime
Adidas Apologizes for Bella Hadid Ad Campaign Referencing 1972 Munich Olympics
View
Date:2025-04-11 18:20:35
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! (373)
Related
- Small twin
- 24 people arrested in a drug trafficking investigation in Oregon
- Houston Texans were an embarrassment. Now they're one of the best stories in the NFL.
- Microgrids Can Bolster Creaky Electricity Systems, But Most States Do Little to Encourage Their Development
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Toyota-linked auto parts maker to build $69M plant northeast of Atlanta
- Biden campaign goes on the offensive on immigration, decrying scary Trump plans
- Cambodia inaugurates new Chinese-funded airport serving popular tourist destination of Angkor Wat
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Potential kingmaker in Dutch coalition talks comes out against anti-Islam firebrand Wilders
Ranking
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Christian democrats, liberals announce 2-party coalition to run Luxembourg
- Atlantic City Boardwalk fire damages entrance to casino, but Resorts remains open
- Biden promises a better economic relationship with Asia, but he’s specifically avoiding a trade deal
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Autoworkers to wrap up voting on contract with General Motors Thursday in a race too close to call
- Israel signals wider operations in southern Gaza as search of hospital has yet to reveal Hamas base
- Goodbye free returns: Retailers are tacking on mail-in fees. Why that may be good news.
Recommendation
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Former WWE Star Gabbi Tuft Shares Transition Journey After Coming Out as Transgender
Extreme Weight Loss' Kim Williams Maxile Honors Costar Brandi Mallory After Her Death
Jennifer Aniston reflects on 'Friends' co-star Matthew Perry in emotional tribute: 'Chosen family'
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
U.N. Security Council schedules a vote on a resolution urging humanitarian pauses, corridors in Gaza
Turkish parliamentary committee to debate Sweden’s NATO membership bid
Colorado hearing into whether Trump can remain on the state’s primary ballot wraps up