Nike has suspended its relationship with Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, the company announced in a statement Friday.This is the day after the Nets Irving suspended for at least five games For his promotion of a film containing anti-Semitic material and his subsequent choice not to offer any kind of apology for a week. Nike also said it won’t launch the Kyrie 8, the latest version of Irving’s signature sneaker.
“At Nike, we believe there is no room for hate speech, and we condemn any form of anti-Semitism,” the company said. said in a statement“To this end, we have decided to immediately suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving and will no longer launch Kyrie 8. We are deeply saddened and disappointed by this situation and its impact on all of us.”
Irving wore unreleased versions of the Kyrie 8 throughout the season, and hinted on Twitter that they would be released to the public on November 11. 11.
On Oct. 27, Irving shared via Twitter a link to a film titled “Hebrews to Blacks: Awakening Black America,” which contained anti-Semitic material. In subsequent conversations with the media, Irving did not offer a clear apology, but instead had a heated exchange with reporters when pressed. Despite reprimands from Nets owner Tsai Chongxin and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Irving stood his ground before the Nets announced the suspension and said Irving must complete “a series of objective remedies to address the consequences of his actions. detrimental effects” because he is “not currently fit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”
Hours after the suspension was announced, Irving posted an apology on Instagram, which read in part: “To all the Jewish families and communities hurt and impacted by my post, I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused you, and I Apologies.” ESPN also reported on Friday that Tsai Ing-wen Multiple attempts to contact Owen After his initial Twitter post, his text messages went unanswered.
Nets general manager Sean Marks said Friday morning that Irving’s apology was a “step” toward being able to rejoin the team, but there’s more to come, including a meeting with Jewish leaders, According to Nick Friedel of ESPN.
As of now, Irving’s status with the Nets is still unclear, but if he is suspended for five games, Irving will be able to return on November 2. On the 13th, the Nets faced the Lakers in Los Angeles.