• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Law

Adidas Whistleblower Alleges Widespread Bribery in China

  • Executives in China are accused of kickbacks and embezzlement. 
  • The whistleblowers claim to be longtime employees in China.
Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports

Adidas announced Monday it was opening an investigation into possible “compliance violations” in China, after a whistleblower anonymously sent a letter to company headquarters.

The letter accuses senior executives based in China of getting millions of euros in bribes. 

A company spokesperson said Adidas received the letter June 7 and is investigating the matter with external legal counsel. The letter, which accuses executives of corruption and embezzlement of funds, had appeared on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu.

The letter alleges that a senior executive in China embezzled millions from the company’s marketing budget and received kickbacks from outside marketing agencies to prioritize them over other competitors.

The same executive was also accused of “nepotism” and “workplace bullying.” While anonymous, the letter claims to be written by “employees from Adidas China.” Jieman, a Chinese state media outlet, reported on the accusations last week and said the letter was sent directly to company headquarters in Germany before being shared publicly. 

“Adidas takes allegations of possible compliance violations very seriously and is clearly committed to complying with legal and internal regulations and ethical standards in all markets where we operate,” a spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal

The investigation is the latest crisis for Adidas in recent years. The company, along with Nike and other manufacturers, faced consumer boycotts in China over its opposition to cotton from Xinjiang, where the country is accused of human rights violations for forced labor and torture, among other issues. Last year, the company dealt with serious financial and public relations hits from its relationship with the rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. The rapper had a dominant Adidas product line that collapsed after his unstable behavior in 2022, including antisemitic remarks and chronically inappropriate behavior in the workplace.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Chelsea

Chelsea Club World Cup Run Banks at Least $100M for Mark Walter..

The Blues will likely take home between $100 million and $120 million.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.

Has the WNBA Outgrown the Matinee Madness of Camp Days?

Caitlin Clark will return from injury in a Wednesday noon game.
Jonas

Jonas Valančiūnas Is Cryptic About Nuggets Standoff in Lithuania

The Nuggets expect Valančiūnas to honor his NBA contract. 

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.
Wander Franco
June 26, 2025

Wander Franco Convicted of Child Sex Abuse, Receives 2-Year Suspended Sentence

Franco can avoid jail time but is unlikely to return to MLB.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game between the Browns and the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium
June 24, 2025

Unearthed NFL Arbitration Ruling Raises More Questions Than Answers

The NFL was cleared of collusion, but new questions have emerged.
Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 24, 2025

James Harden Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assault Case

Harden hosted the party where the alleged incident happened.
Jun 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park.
June 24, 2025

Tatis Sues Big League Advance for ‘Predatory’ Future Earnings Deal

Tatis would owe $34 million from his current deal alone.
Jul 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) react after striking out during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium.
June 23, 2025

Former Yankee Josh Donaldson Wins $222K in Lawsuit Against Landlord

Donaldson played the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the Yankees.