Nike Suspends Kyrie Irving After He Promoted An Antisemitic Video
Sports equipment manufacturer Nike has suspended its partnership with the famous basketball player Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets player who last week promoted an anti-Semitic video on social media, EFE reports.
Nike also decided it will not launch the Kyrie 8, the latest version of Kyrie Irving's signature basketball sneakers.
"At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism. 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 a disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone," the company said in an official statement.
Nike Sanctioned Kyrie Irving For His Antisemitic Position
According to CBS Sports, Kyrie Irving shared on 27 October, via Twitter, the link to a film entitled, "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America," which contains antisemitic opinions.
Initially, for a whole week, Nets' Kyrie Irving didn't offer any kind of apology. He even got into an argument with a reporter who insisted on the subject and didn't offer any apologies even after the reactions from Nets owner Joe Tsai and NBA commissioner Adam Silver. This led to a five-game suspension from the Brooklyn Nets.
After his suspension, Kyrie Irving issued an official apology on his Instagram account: "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."
The NBA star admitted Wednesday that he promoted an antisemitic video on social media that had a "negative impact" on the Jewish community, pledging to make a donation of 500.000 dollars to associations fighting to eradicate hatred and intolerance.
Nike's decision comes after rival Adidas ten days ago tore up its contract with rapper Kanye West, who was suspended from Twitter and Instagram after writing that he would attack Jews.
Photo Credit: Kyrie Irving / Facebook
