California Supreme Court Says Adidas Can't Use Kangaroo Hide

California Supreme Court Upholds Ban On Shoes Made With Kangaroo Skin

Soccer shoes and other athletic footwear made with kangaroo skin are “banned under a state law that was upheld Monday by the California Supreme Court,” according to Maura Dolan of the L.A. TIMES.  The case was brought by Viva Int'l Voice for Animals, an animal protection group, against adidas, which argued that federal law, “which permits the import and sale of kangaroo skin, takes precedence over state law.”  An attorney for adidas said that the shoes at issue “would continue to be sold in California until other legal issues in the case are resolved,” adding that the case “eventually could reach the U.S. Supreme Court.”  adidas spokesperson Andrea Corso noted other shoemakers also use kangaroo hide and said, “A lot of soccer players strongly prefer it.”  MLS Galaxy MF David Beckham previously announced that he will “no longer wear shoes made with kangaroo hide.”  However, the Galaxy “has sided with adidas in trying to have the ban overturned.”  The team has said that California soccer players “will be at a disadvantage if they cannot wear the lighter, softer shoes” (L.A. TIMES, 7/24).