December 05, (THEWILL) – One month after Nike suspended their partnership with Kyrie Irving, the sportswear manufacturer has formally parted ways with the Nets point guard.
THEWILL recalls that on October 27, Irving appeared to endorse a film with antisemitic views when he posted a link to the documentary movie on a number of social media channels. The posts were at first, denounced by the Nets in a statement.
On October 29 and November 3, Irving spoke with the media, however, he did not sincerely apologise for sharing the content or strongly denounce the movie. He also questioned the negative feedback he got for sharing the movie’s URL and praised the “New World Order” theories of conspiracy theorist, Alex Jones.
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association responded by criticising hate speech in a number of public statements. Adam Silver, the NBA’s commissioner, met with Irving to discuss his return after his eight-game suspension. Following Irving’s suspension, the Nets denounced Irving for his actions and said they were working with him for the better.
Nike made the instant decision to cancel its partnership with Irving on November 4, stating: “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.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
