Bella Hadid prepares to sue Adidas after 1972 Olympics sneaker debacle

The alleged legal filings emerged following the controversial Adidas campaign, which featured sneakers initially designed by the sports clothing brand for the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

 Bella Hadid poses on the red carpet at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2024 (photo credit: REUTERS/STEPHANE MAHE)
Bella Hadid poses on the red carpet at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2024
(photo credit: REUTERS/STEPHANE MAHE)

Bella Hadid, a model of Palestinian descent, is preparing to sue Adidas, TMZ reported on Sunday.

The alleged legal filings emerged from the controversial Adidas campaign, which featured sneakers initially designed by the sports clothing brand for the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.

During the 1972 Olympics, eight members of the Palestinian militant organization Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village, killed two members of the Israeli Olympic team, and took nine others hostage. Those nine were later killed.

Hadid has reportedly hired legal counsel to take action against Adidas for their lack of public accountability, TMZ noted. 

TMZ cited sources saying that Hadid is upset that Adidas would develop and market a campaign associated with the tragedy of the Munich massacre. 

 Screenshot of the Adidas campaing promoting shoes based on the 1972 Olympics featuring Bella Hadid. (credit: screenshot)
Screenshot of the Adidas campaing promoting shoes based on the 1972 Olympics featuring Bella Hadid. (credit: screenshot)

The report also stated that Hadid is still under contract with Adidas, countering reports that the sportswear company dropped her. 

Pro-Israel social media users decried that the brand had hired Hadid, a vocal opponent of Israel, to promote shoes introduced for the infamous Olympics, where the Palestinian terror faction, Black September, murdered members of the Israeli team. 

Hadid family's previous antisemitic, anti-Israel remarks

Bella Hadid, a Palestinian-American model and face of the campaign, is vocally anti-Israel and has spread antisemitic rhetoric on social media alongside her sister, Gigi, and her father, Mohamed.

Mohamed Hadid has made numerous antisemitic and anti-Israel comments, including that Israeli Jews have no genetic connection to ancient Hebrew and racist and homophobic remarks to Rep. Ritchie Torres. 

Adidas has since apologized, telling The Washington Times, “We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical events — though these are completely unintentional — and we apologize for any upset or distress caused.”