Diageo seeks to cut ties with Combs amid racism lawsuit
Spirits giant Diageo says it’s cutting ties with rapper and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs following his move to sue the company over allegations of racism in the handling of his liquor brands, according to a Tuesday court filing.
Combs’ lawsuit, filed with the New York Supreme Court in Manhattan last month, says Diageo North America starved Combs’ Cîroc vodka and DeLeón tequila brands of resources while giving attention to other brands.
Combs, who is Black, said Diageo leadership told him that his race was one of the reasons it limited distribution to “urban” neighborhoods and stunted sales growth of his brands.