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Kyrie Irving has been suspended from the Brooklyn Nets.
A few days ago, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving shocked with a tweet linking a documentary. This was the 2018 film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America”, which is known, among other things, for anti-Semitic statements. As a result, his club repeatedly asked for an apology from the 30-year-old, but this did not happen. Now the team from New York has pulled the ripcord.
Irving has been suspended for at least five games and will not be paid during that time. The franchise announced this in a statement on Thursday. It is currently not possible for Irving to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets. “We are dismayed that Kyrie missed the opportunity to state unequivocally that he has no anti-Semitic beliefs or endorses certain hateful content.”
insight after expulsion
After his employer announced the suspension, Irving admitted his mistake on Thursday evening. “I would like to apologize to all Jewish families affected and hurt by the post,” he wrote in a statement on Instagram.
He denies any anti-Semitic allegations. “At first I reacted emotionally to being called an anti-Semite instead of focusing on how much my Jewish brothers and sisters were hurt in this documentary. I want to make it clear where I stand and that I’m fighting anti-Semitism.”
Nike reacts – collaboration ended
For Irving’s sponsor Nike, the insight comes too late – the sports giant is announcing its long-standing cooperation with the NBA star. And Irving’s new shoe, the “Kyrie 8”, will not be released either.
“At Nike, we believe that hate speech has no place and we condemn all forms of anti-Semitism,” Nike said in a press release on Friday evening. “We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone involved.” Irving has been under contract with Nike since 2014, which should have run until 2023.
Scandal coach should save the season
For Irving’s employers, the Brooklyn Nets, it’s the next chapter in a botched start to the season. Before the start of the season, the star team from New York was still one of the title contenders in the NBA. However, they could only win two of the first eight games. Coach Steve Nash has already been fired.
Scandal coach Ime Udoka could take over for him. The 45-year-old is still under contract with the Boston Celtics. Udoka was suspended about a month before the start of the season for having an “inappropriate intimate relationship” with a Celtics employee. Chaos seems bound to continue in Brooklyn in the future. (mab/mou)
