Fear of God founder and designer Jerry Lorenzo learned Friday morning via Adidas that the Indiana men’s and women’s basketball programs have opted not to wear their previously planned Fear of God uniforms.
Lorenzo said in a phone call with the Indiana Daily Student on Friday that Indiana Athletics did not contact him about its decision or the reasoning as to why they won’t don the uniforms.
Indiana Athletics did not respond to a request for comment at time of publication.
Ahead of Indiana women’s basketball’s victory over No. 8 Ohio State on Thursday, several players warmed up in their traditional white home uniforms while they were supposed to wear the Fear of God ones. An Indiana Athletics spokesperson provided a statement to the IDS explaining the team would not wear the previously scheduled uniforms and did not provide reasoning behind the decision.
Fans and commentators have speculated the decision was sparked by a recent antisemitic tirade on X from rapper Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — who has a history of making discriminatory and controversial statements. Ye previously collaborated with Adidas, which has since severed ties.
Adidas has a partnership with Lorenzo’s Fear of God. Lorenzo also previously had a relationship with Ye.
In response to the speculations around Ye being the reason the uniforms were cut, Lorenzo said there is "no truth or any merit in that." Ye last collaborated with Adidas through his Yeezy line in 2022 and Lorenzo said he hasn't spoken with Ye in over two years.
Last Lorenzo heard IU and both teams were excited to wear the uniforms as they did last season for a game apiece. This season’s uniforms were slated to be cream-colored compared to last season’s charcoal-colored ones.
Both the men’s and women’s programs’ X accounts posted videos on Wednesday of the new uniforms being unveiled to their respective players.
The women’s squad was supposed to wear the uniforms in their 71-61 victory over No. 8 Ohio State on Thursday. The men’s team planned to sport them Feb. 26 against Penn State.
Lorenzo planned to fly to Bloomington next week in anticipation of the debut of the new uniforms.
This story may be updated.
Dalton James covers Indiana women's basketball and football for the Indiana Daily Student. You can follow him at @DaltonMJames on X and contact him via email at jamesdm@iu.edu.
