Nike officially terminates partnership with Kyrie Irving

After suspending its partnership with Irving and scrapping the release of his upcoming shoe, Nike confirmed Monday that it has cut ties with the Brooklyn Nets point guard.

Kyrie is no longer a Nike athlete according to a company spokesman.

Irving's signature endorsement agreement with the company was due to end in October of 2023. After Irving posted a link on social media to a book and movie with antisemitic messages, the deal was suspended for 11 months.

Kyrie moved over the line. Phil Knight spoke to CNBC on November 10. We ended the relationship because he made some statements that we couldn't abide by. I was okay with that.

Knight's comments three weeks ago were seen as confirmation that the partnership was done before it expired.

"We have mutually decided to part ways and wish Nike the best in their future endeavors," Irving's agent told CNBC.

The majority of NBA players wear Nike sneakers. The annual Kyrie model has become one of the most used shoes in the league. The data from KixStats.com shows that the number of players wearing the Kyrie 7 has risen. Dozens of players wear the lower priced model as well, with others rotating between the past year's models.

According to sources, the brand is not expected to ask current NBA players to stop wearing their shoes because they prefer the comfort and performance of the Irving series.

Irving is a sneaker free agent and could sign a new endorsement deal with the brand partner of his choice because of the clarity of the contract's end.

Irving became the 20th NBA player in league history to receive his own signature sneaker from Nike after signing with the company as a player.

One of the industry's best-selling total signature footwear businesses is a result of Irving's signature shoe line and lower priced models. It was Nike's second most lucrative current player franchise in the last few years.

Irving said on Monday that he considers anyone who has spent their hard-earned money on anything he has ever released to be his family. We need to show how powerful we are.