Factz

Kyrie Irving’s Week Keeps Getting Worse After Nike Cuts Ties

When Kyrie Irving shared a video pushing antisemitic conspiracy theories, he probably didn’t foresee the cascade of consequences that would follow.

Irving’s week went from controversial to devastating after everyone turned on the Nets player.

Here’s a quick recap of how things have gone:

  • October 27: First, perhaps in response to the furor over Kanye West’s antisemitic remarks, Irving shared a link to a movie that pushes dangerously antisemitic content.
  • The next day, Rolling Stone dissected the film and explained why it was so problematic. Public outcry soon started rolling out.
  • That same night, Nets owner Joe Tsai tweeted, “I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation. I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity, or religion.” He called it “bigger than basketball.”
  • The next morning, Irving tweeted that he’s an “omnist” and added, “The ‘Anti-Semitic’ label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday.”
  • Around dinnertime of that same day (we’re up to October 29 now), the NBA released a statement but did not name Irving directly, which read in part, “Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable and runs counter to the NBA’s values of equality, inclusion, and respect. We believe we all have a role to play in ensuring such words or ideas, including antisemitic ones, are challenged and refuted. We will continue working with all members of the NBA community to ensure that everyone understands the impact of their words and actions.”
  • In a contentious post-game presser that night, Irving didn’t apologize – in fact, he doubled down on his right to say whatever he wishes, explaining, “I can post whatever I want.”
  • On October 30, Irving deleted the tweet that started the whole firestorm.
  • On October 31, Kanye West posted a picture of Irving with the caption, “There’s some real ones still here.” Also, on Halloween, fans sat courtside at a Nets game wearing “fight antisemitism” shirts.
  • Late on November 3, the NBA suspended Irving for five games “without pay.” They blasted his unwillingness to learn and apologize.
  • November 4, Irving finally issued a (too late) apology, which read in part, “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected by my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt by the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.”
  • On November 5, Nike cut ties with Irving. They released a statement that read in part, “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech, and we condemn any form of antisemitism. We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone.”

It’s unclear where else Irving’s ill-fated tweet will take him, but it would seem that the NBA and corporate sponsors are not playing around. Especially after being handed a roadmap by fashion brands that responded to West’s antisemitism by dropping associations with the rapper.



One Comment

  • He apologised to please his handlers and sponsors. We had BLM forced on us for the last few years and now another group of people want to be victims.

Comments are closed.