Nike Suspends Kyrie Irving Partnership After Nets PG's Promotion of Antisemitic Film

Irving promoted an antisemitic film on his social media accounts, prompting Nike to suspend its partnership with him.

Nike said in a statement.

Nike condemns any form of antisemitism. We've decided to suspend our relationship with Irving immediately and won't be launching the Kyrie 8. We are very sad and upset by the situation.

Irving and Nike collaborated on a number of basketball shoes in the past. According to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne in May, Nike was unlikely to extend Irving's signature shoe deal due to uncertainty surrounding his NBA future.

Irving promoted the book on social media. According to a Rolling Stone article, the film includes ideas that are in line with the more extreme members of the Black Hebrew Israelites.

Irving was suspended for at least five games by the Nets after he refused to say he had no antisemitic beliefs.

Irving was given a number of opportunities this week to condemn antisemitism. He told reporters that he respected all walks of life, but did not apologize or state that he had no antisemitic beliefs.

Irving apologized to the Jewish community after he was suspended from the Nets.

While researching YHWH, I posted a Documentary that contained false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion. I'm grateful to have a big platform to share knowledge and I want to grow from it.

I apologize to all Jewish families and communities that have been hurt by my post. I initially reacted out of emotion to being labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the documentary. I apologize for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation, which I disagreed with, in order to clear up any confusion about my stance against Anti- semticism. I didn't mean to disrespect the Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust. I hope we can understand each other after this unfortunate event. I'm just like any other human being. I know who I am and I am searching for truth and knowledge.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Nets governor Joe Tsai had expressed their disappointment in the veteran before he apologized.

Joe Tsai @joetsai1999

This is bigger than basketball

Irving will be able to return to the Nets' lineup on November 13 if he is suspended for five games.