Kyrie Irving Issue Takes Center Stage With NBA, Nets, Anti-Defamation League

By Barry Janoff

UPDATED November 10, 2022: AP Sports: The relationship between Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving and Nike is likely severed for good, the shoe giant’s co-founder told CNBC.

“I would doubt that we go back,” co-founder Phil Knight said in an interview that aired Thursday. “But I don’t know for sure.”

Irving signed with Nike in 2011 and had a signature line of shoes since 2014, with his annual endorsement deal believed to be worth at least $11 million.

“Kyrie stepped over the line,” Knight said. “It’s kind of that simple. He made some statements that we just can’t abide by and that’s why we ended the relationship. And I was fine with that." Full story here.

UPDATED NOVEMBER 6, 2022: “I don't think he understood the magnitude of the people that were affected, how they were impacted and how fast hate can spread and how this can snowball,” CJ McCollum, president of the National Basketball Players Assn. and a guard with the New Orleans Pelicans, told the media Saturday night (Nov. 5).

“You have to be careful about what you post. You have to know exactly what it is, and you have to do your research and educate yourself on all religions, all backgrounds, all races so that you’re comfortable speaking to that.

"I think the important part was he did apologize. He's displayed empathy now. I think this is a learning experience.”

UPDATED November 5, 2022: Nike said Friday (Nov. 4) it has suspended its relationship with Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving.

"At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism," Nike said via the company.

"To that end, we've made the 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."

UPDATED November 4, 2022: On Thursday night (Nov. 3), Kyrie Irving posted to his social media platforms:

“While doing research on YHWH, I posted a Documentary that contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion, and I take full accountability and responsibly for my actions. I am grateful to have a big platform to share knowledge and I want to move forward by having an open dialogue to learn more and grow from this.

“To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from 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 from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.

“I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against Anti-Semitism by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the Documentary I agreed with and disagreed with. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate.

“I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all. I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I Am.”

UPDATED November 3, 2022 7:44 PM (ET): Statement from the Brooklyn Nets:

“Over the last several days, we have made repeated attempts to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate.

"We believed that taking the path of education in this challenging situation would be the right one and thought that we had made progress with our joint commitment to eradicating hate and intolerance.

“We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify.

“Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team.

"Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.

"Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets."

"We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period served is no less than five games.”

November 3, 2022: The on-going issue regarding Kyrie Irving and his link to a movie described as containing “extensive antisemitism” now includes an upcoming face-to-face with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who said today, “I will be meeting with Kyrie in person in the next week to discuss this situation.”

Last week, Brooklyn Nets All-Star Irving shared a link to the 2018 film, Hebrews to Negroes, with his nearly 5 million Twitter followers. He deleted the tweet days later.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, the movie “includes extensive antisemitism, including claims of a global Jewish conspiracy to oppress and defraud Black people, allegations that Jews are in part responsible for the transatlantic slave trade and the claim that Jews falsified the history of the Holocaust in order to conceal their nature and protect their status and power.”

Silver today said via the NBA, “Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material.

“While we appreciate the fact that he agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize.

”I will be meeting with Kyrie in person in the next week to discuss this situation.”

The situation comes as the Nets have parted ways with head coach Steve Nash and have lost six of their first eight games.

Yesterday, Irving, the Nets and the Anti-Defamation League said via the organizations, “To promote education within our community, Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets will each donate $500,000 toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities.

“The Nets and Kyrie Irving will work with ADL, a nonprofit organization devoted to fighting antisemitism and all types of hate that undermine justice and fair treatment for every individual.

“This is an effort to develop educational programming that is inclusive and will comprehensively combat all forms of antisemitism and bigotry.”

Irving today said during an informal media conference at Nets practice, "I take my responsibility for posting that . . . Some things that were questionable in there, untrue . . . I don't believe everything that everybody posts — it's a documentary. So I take my responsibility.

"I didn't mean to cause any harm. I’m not the one that made the documentary."

According to the Anti-Defamation League, “The film also amplifies longstanding antisemitic tropes about Jewish power, control and greed, including false claims that Jews control the media . . . To support its claims, the film cites statements from prominent antisemites and notorious antisemitic texts as supposed evidence of the ‘true’ nature and identity of Jewish people.”

Regarding the film’s position and how that might reflect his own beliefs, Irving told the media today, “I don't know how the (antisemetic) label becomes justified because you guys ask me the same questions over and over again . . . .

“I think I can ask a better question: Where were you when I was a kid figuring out that 300 million of my ancestors were buried in America? Where were you guys asking those same questions when I was a kid dealing with learning about the traumatic events of my familial history? And what I'm proud to come from.

"I respect all walks of life and embrace all walks of life. I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from.”

“There is no room for antisemitism, racism, false narratives or misguided attempts to create animosity and hate."

Regarding the film’s perspective that the Holocaust was falsified, Irving said to the media today, “I’m not here to compare anyone's atrocities. Or tragic events that their families have dealt with in generations of time.

“I’m just here to continue to expose things that our world continues to put in darkness. I'm a light. I'm a beacon of light. That's what I'm here to do. You guys ask me questions about basketball, I give you my expert opinion. You guys ask me about other things, I give you my opinion and it's meant with whatever you believe the perception or the deception is."

Yesterday’s statement from Irving and the Nets read, “The events of the past week have sparked many emotions within the Nets organization, our Brooklyn community, and the nation.

“The public discourse that followed has brought greater awareness to the challenges we face as a society when it comes to combating hate and hate speech. We are ready to take on this challenge and we recognize that this is a unique moment to make a lasting impact.”

Irving as part of the Nets statement said, “I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day. I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility.

“I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen.

“So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light.”

“There is no room for antisemitism, racism, false narratives or misguided attempts to create animosity and hate,” said Sam Zussman, CEO for BSE Global, parent company of the Nets and Barclays Center, said via the company.

“Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need to ensure education in these areas. We are putting our prior statements into practice because actions speak louder than words.”

The Nets said they would continue to support and participate in Shine A Light, an on-going initiative dedicated to spotlighting modern day antisemitism.

“Additionally, to ensure a sustainable and meaningful impact in driving awareness and education on the important topics of hatred based on race, ethnicity, and religion, the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty and the teams’ affiliated organizations will host a series of community conversations at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, in partnership with ADL and other national civil rights organizations as well as local community associations.”

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