Adidas, the global German sportswear giant, is under legal scrutiny after a former employee filed a $6.2 million lawsuit, accusing the company of racism, retaliation, and workplace discrimination.
April Burton, who worked at Adidas in a full-time role, alleges she was referred to as a “monkey” by colleagues and that the Human Resources (HR) department internally labelled her as “Ape.” When she raised concerns about the terminology, she claims HR dismissed it as a coincidence — insisting “Ape” was merely an abbreviation of her first name, April.
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the corporate world, particularly given Adidas’ public image of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Burton claims her experience was anything but that.
According to Burton, she filed an internal complaint after discovering the offensive language. Shortly thereafter, she says she was terminated from her position, allegedly for initiating legal action against the company. Burton’s legal team argues that this dismissal was retaliatory in nature.
“I took a stand, and they shut the door on me,” she said in a statement released by her attorneys.
Beyond the slur, Burton has also accused Adidas leadership of fostering a culture of systemic racism and sexism. She claims that Roland Auschel, Adidas’ Chief Sales Officer, made several inappropriate remarks about singer Beyoncé, particularly regarding her body and skin tone, during internal discussions surrounding brand partnerships.
Adidas has not yet issued a detailed public response to the allegations. In previous statements on similar issues, the company has reiterated its commitment to creating an inclusive environment, stating it has “zero tolerance” for discriminatory behavior.
However, this is not the first time Adidas has come under fire for issues related to race and diversity. In recent years, the company has faced pressure to diversify leadership roles, especially in the United States, following the global reckoning over racism and corporate accountability.
The case, now pending in U.S. court, could potentially lead to major reputational damage and prompt further investigations into the company’s internal practices.
Legal experts note that if Burton’s claims are substantiated, the $6.2 million she is seeking could be just the beginning — both in terms of monetary damages and corporate fallout.
This lawsuit joins a growing list of high-profile workplace discrimination cases in major global corporations, highlighting ongoing concerns around racial justice and ethics in corporate governance.
As of now, no trial date has been set, and Adidas has yet to confirm whether it intends to settle the matter or contest it in court.
