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Ye’s Donda Sports has now lost both of its only two star clients after signing them earlier this year.
Late on Tuesday, the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown and Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald announced they would be leaving the artist formerly known as Kanye West’s sports marketing agency in the wake of his antisemitic comments in recent weeks.
After backlash to his initial decision — that he doesn’t condone Ye’s comments but would not leave the agency — Brown changed course.
“In the past 24 hours, 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. For that, I apologize,” he said in his most recent statement. “I have always, and will always, continue to stand strongly against any antisemitism, hate speech, misrepresentation, and oppressive rhetoric of any kind.”
While Brown is terminating his association with Donda Sports, he noted that he will continue to be a mentor to the young athletes he’s met through Donda Academy.
Shortly thereafter, Donald and his wife, Erica — who oversees most of his marketing — condemned Ye’s rhetoric in their decision to dissociate from the rapper.
“As parents and members of society, we felt a responsibility to send a clear message that hateful words and actions have consequences and that we must do better as human beings,” they said. “We do not feel our beliefs, voices and actions belong anywhere near a space that misrepresents and oppresses people of any background, ethnicity or race.”
Donda Sports managed to hold on to one of its big names — even if it’s not a client.
In a statement, Antonio Brown said he would remain president of the marketing agency.
