Aaron Donald, Jaylen Brown part with Kanye West's Donda Sports after rapper's antisemitic remarks
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Aaron Donald announced on Tuesday that he's parting Kanye West's Donda Sports in the aftermath of the rapper's antisemitic remarks.
The Los Angeles Rams All-Pro announced his decision on Twitter. A minute later, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown likewise announced his departure from Donda Sports, a day after he declared that he was sticking with West's sports agency.
Donald cited West's "displays of hate and antisemitism" as the impetus for his decision.
"The recent comments and displays of hate and antisemitism are the exact opposite of how we choose to live our lives and raise our children," Donald wrote. "We find them to be irresponsible and go against everything we believe in as a family."
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) October 25, 2022
Jaylen Brown: 'I apologize'
Brown, meanwhile, backtracked from his decision to remain aligned with Donda Sports while writing that he's reflected on his decision in the past 24 hours. He also apologized after previously suggesting that West needs help and "unconditional love" in an interview with the Boston Globe.
"I've been able to reflect and better understand how my previous statements lack clarity in expressing my stance against recent insensitive public remarks and actions," Brown wrote. "For that, I apologize.
"And in this, I seek to be as clear as possible. I have always, and will always, continue to stand strongly against any antisemitism, hate speech, misrepresentation, and oppressive rhetoric of any kind."
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) October 25, 2022
More fallout from West's comments
Donald's and Brown's decisions arrive on the heels of several high-profile business partners cutting ties with West after the rapper/producer made antisemitic comments across multiple media platforms. His agency, Creative Artists Agency, split with him on Monday. Vogue previously announced that it has no intention of working with him again. Balenciaga, his longest partner in the high-fashion world, cut ties with West.
On Tuesday, Adidas parted with West amid mounting pressure to do so. Adidas produced West's high-end Yeezy line of sneakers. West had previously challenged the company to drop him for saying "antisemitic things."
"The thing about it being Adidas is like, I can literally say antisemitic s*** and they cannot drop me," West said on a podcast appearance. "I can say antisemitic things and Adidas can't drop me. Now what?"
Donald's and Brown's announcements followed Adidas' decision. Donda Sports represented them in business and marketing interests separate from their primary representation. Previously, LeBron James' "The Shop" declined to publish an episode with West while citing the rapper's "hate speech." Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown joined Donda Sports in February. He announced on Tuesday that he's remaining with the agency.
Twitter locked West's account earlier in October after he tweeted that he would "go death con 3 on Jewish people." It also removed the offending tweet. Instagram previously locked his account for separate remarks disparaging Jewish people. West repeated tropes and conspiracy theories to other media outlets that have since surfaced.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday that a hate group gathered in Los Angeles in support of West. Per the report, the group gave Nazi salutes behind a banner hanging over the 405 freeway that read “Kanye is right about the Jews.”
