Nike has suspended its relationship with Kyrie Irving after he received intense criticism for posting a link to an anti-Semitic film on social media.
Nike released a statement Friday night announcing that it has halted their business dealings with Irving effective immediately, according to USA Today. The company will no longer be releasing the Kyrie 8 shoe, which was poised for worldwide release later this month. “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of anti-Semitism,” the company said in a statement, according to USA Today.
Nike has ended its relationship with Kyrie Irving over “hate speech” but continues its partnership with the Chinese government, which is currently committing actual genocide against Muslims. pic.twitter.com/5531Jo1IBJ
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 5, 2022
Nike made its position clear to fans and expressed their disappointment over the outcome of this relationship.It didn’t want its brand attached to this sort of messaging. “To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8. We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone,” Nike wrote in its statement, according to USA Today.
Earlier on Friday, Irving released an apology to his fans, which many found to be too little too late, especially since he refused to apologixe or retract his comments at the onset of the situation, according to TMZ. (RELATED: Anti-Defamation League Refuses $500,000 Donation From Kyrie Irving)
“I’m a beacon of light. I’m not afraid of these mics, these cameras. Any label you put on me I’m able to dismiss because I study. I know the Oxford dictionary.”
Kyrie Irving with a lengthy answer on the public reaction to his sharing of an anti-Semitic film on social media: pic.twitter.com/JgG9hOFQiU
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) November 3, 2022
Irving’s post and his initial refusal to apologize have cost him in recent days. The Brooklyn Nets suspended the star player from at least 5 games without pay Thursday, according to CP24 News.
Irving has had a signature line with Nike since 2014. It currently remains unclear if he will have an opportunity to mend this relationship in the future.