Brooklyn Nets PG Kyrie Irving and Nike parted ways due to his latest antics. The highly anticipated sneakers “Kyrie 8” were going to drop. However, this has been canceled. Friday night, the shoe giant announced that their relationship has ended to repeated failure to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.”
While the Nets decided Thursday to suspend Irving, Nike followed suit shortly after. Later, they released a statement on behalf of the company.
Nike firmly opposes hate speech and condemns antisemitism. As a result, we have chosen to suspend our partnership with Kyrie Irving immediately and will not be releasing Kyrie 8.
History of Kyrie Irving and Nike
In 2014, Irving began his signature line with Nike. However, he signed with Nike in 2011. Irving’s sneakers have been the world’s number-one bought and worn sneakers. At the same time, the breakup of the two parties saddened many. This appeared to be inevitable as Irving and Nike began bumping heads a few years ago.
Nike expresses profound sadness and disappointment regarding the situation and its effects on everyone involved.
While Kyrie 8’s won’t be dropping any longer, the previous models of his shoes are still for sale on the Nike website. This came after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s statement was released on the NBA’s behalf after the tweet from Irving’s account.
Kyrie Irving’s lousy decision to share a link to a film with offensive antisemitic content was reckless. Although we acknowledge his collaboration with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to address antisemitism and discrimination, we are disappointed by the lack of an unequivocal apology and a specific denouncement of the disturbing content in the film he promoted. I will meet with Kyrie within the next week to address this matter.
Irving’s Antics Continue
Thankfully, Irving apologized on his Instagram, addressing the people he may have offended or hurt. While he’s deleted the post as of now. Before the deletion, he posted a link to a documentary called: “Hebrews to negroes: Wake Up Black America.” The film contains antisemitism and is considered hate speech.
“I apologize to all Jewish families and communities hurt and affected by my post. I deeply regret causing you pain. Emotions drove my initial reaction due to being unjustly labeled as Anti-Semitic instead of prioritizing the healing process for my only Jewish brothers and sisters who were badly hurt by the hateful remarks in the documentary.”
