Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving faced the latest form of disciplinary action on Friday when Nike decided to suspend their relationship with the star point guard after sharing a controversial film that featured anti-Semitic misinformation through his social media accounts.
Nike, who has previously collaborated to release seven editions of sneakers with Irving, no longer intends to release an eighth, which was scheduled to take place in November.
“Nike announces the company is suspending its relationship with Kyrie Irving, effective immediately, and will no longer launch his new Kyrie 8,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Friday.
On Thursday, the Nets organization also held Irving responsible for his publication of misinformation, suspending the seven-time NBA All-Star. The suspension, which was announced as “at least five games without pay,” came after Irving initially refused to accept accountability and apologize for sharing the film. He then acknowledged it was indeed anti-Semitic through the release of an online apology.
“While doing research on YHWH (Yahweh), I posted a documentary that contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion,” Irving wrote on Instagram.
Nike released a statement following the announcement, per Charania.
“At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism,” the statement read. “To that end, we’ve made our decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8. We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone.”
On Friday, the Nets took the floor without Irving for the first time since the suspension, defeating the Washington Wizards with ease, 128-86 at Capital One Arena.
