The latest development in the ongoing conflict since the Brooklyn Nets guard posted a link to a movie with antisemitic content on it on Twitter is Nike’s decision to end its relationship with Kyrie Irving and to pull out of the plans to release his next signature shoe.
Irving has been suspended by the Nets for what the team called a repeated failure to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.” The shoe company made the announcement that it will end its relationship with Irving on Friday night.
On Thursday, the Nets made that decision, suspending Irving without pay for at least five games. Nike made its decision the following day. Those actions came in response to a lot of criticism, including from the Anti-Defamation League and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, among others.
The Beaverton, Oregon-based company stated, “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism.” Therefore, we have decided to immediately end our relationship with Kyrie Irving and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8.
Since 2014, Irving has had a Nike signature line.
Nike stated, “We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and how it affects everyone.”
In 2011, Irving signed a contract with Nike shortly after becoming the No. 1 in the NBA draft that year. Irving’s first signature shoe came out three years later, and the Kyrie line was so popular that he made $11 million a year just from being a Nike endorser.
The Kyrie 8 was anticipated to be available within the following week. His previous shoe models were still available for purchase on the Nike website on Friday night.
