Nike Suspends Relations with Kyrie Irving After He Shares Antisemitic Video
Written by SOURCE on November 5, 2022
The fallout from Kyrie Irving sharing a link to an antisemitic film on Instagram continues, as his biggest endorsement partner, Nike, has responded to his recent actions.
Shams Charania reports that Nike is suspending its partnership with Irving effective immediately. As a result, the company will no longer launch the Kyrie 8, which was set to release in various colorways this month.
Nike also issued the following statement regarding its decision to take action.
The move comes after the Brooklyn Nets announced that they’ve suspended the point guard for a minimum of five games, citing what they felt was his refusal to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film.” NBA commissioner Adam Silver is also expected to meet with Irving soon.
The relationship between Nike and Irving was already in question after he publicly slammed what was supposed to be the Kyrie 8 last season, calling the finished design “trash” in a comment on Instagram. The shoe was later renamed the Kyrie Infinity, shifting the Kyrie 8 name to this season’s model. Following that incident, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported that Nike would not be renewing Irving’s contract following the 2022-23 season and that the Kyrie 8 would be his last sneaker with the company. That news was never confirmed by Nike.
In a post shared on Instagram on Thursday, Irving did apologize for his actions, saying “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.”
