Nike suspends collaboration with Kyrie Irving, cancels Kyrie 8 launch

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Nike said late Friday that it was suspending its relationship with NBA star Kyrie Irving, the latest fallout after the basketball player shared an anti-Semitic movie on social media and refused to apologize or deny anti-Semitism for days on end.

“Where we believe there is no hate speech at Nike, we condemn any form of anti-Semitism,” the company said in a statement. “To this end, we have decided to immediately suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8.” According to the industry publication, the Kyrie 8 shoe will be released this month.

“We are deeply saddened and disappointed by this situation and how it affects everyone,” Nike said.

Nike’s rebuke comes a day after Brooklyn Nets suspend Irving At least five unpaid games, after he shared, said he was “not fit to be associated with the organization at this time” An anti-Semitic film “Hebrew to Blacks: Awakening Black America” ​​on social media. The Nets said Irving will be suspended “until he has satisfied a series of objective remedies to address the detrimental effects of his actions.”

“Today, when we had the opportunity to attend a media conference, we were dismayed that Carey refused to make it clear that he had no anti-Semitic beliefs, nor did he acknowledge the Specific Hate Material.” Conference. “This is not the first time he has had the opportunity – but failed – to clarify.”

Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, described the press conference as a “fiasco”, adding that the Anti-Defamation League cannot “Conscientious” Accept the $500,000 Irving agreed to donate to anti-hate causes the day before.

Owen refuses to admit or apologize for anti-Semitism for days Writing on Instagram late Thursday, he “released a documentary that contained false anti-Semitic remarks, narratives and language that were untrue and offensive to Jewish race/religion.”

He said he “takes full responsibility and responsibility for my actions”, adding: “To all the Jewish families and communities who have been hurt and impacted by my position, I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused you, and my deepest Apologies.” He said he “initially reacted to the sentiment of being unfairly labelled anti-Semitic rather than focusing on the recovery process of my Jewish siblings who were hurt by the hate speech in the documentary” .”

Irving’s controversial history. He’s been outspoken about his refusal to get a coronavirus vaccine and his New York City vaccination mandate. The feud led to the Nets ejecting Irving for more than two months last season. It was “not a political issue,” Irving said at the time, but “about my life and what I choose to do.”

The Nets, engulfed by Irving’s controversial behavior, have had a slow start to the season and recently parted ways with head coach Steve Nash.

Irving’s suspension by the Nets and his relationship with Nike comes after Adidas severed ties with artist Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, following repeated anti-Semitic comments on social media. Experts have warned that anti-Semitism is growing unbridled at a time when harassment, vandalism and violence against Jews is at its highest level in decades.

Ben Golliver contributed to this report.



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