Nike next to drop star for antisemitic reasons

Nike has decided to suspend its relationship with basket ball star and point guard Kyrie Irving, the footwear firm stated in a statement to CNN Business. In a statement Nike said "we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism".

It added, "To that end, we have made the decision to suspend our relationship with 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's partnership with Irving started in 2011. "Irving's first signature shoe was released three years later, and the popularity of the Kyrie line led to him making a reported US$11 million annually just from the Nike endorsement," stated on the official NBA website.  The Kyrie 8 is the eighth official shoe of the basketballer's shoe line.

Irving was suspended for his tweet which it was linked to the 2018 antisemitic film, Hebrews to Negroes: : Wake Up Black America! The film is based on Ronald Dalton’s book and has been labelled as being antisemitic by civil rights groups. The tweet was deleted shortly after. Additionally, Irving posted on Instagram a screenshot of the movie's Amazon rental page, which he linked to on Twitter. It also didn't include a caption from Irving.

Consequently, the star was also absent from the first of at least five Brooklyn Nets games.

Since the incident, Irving issued an apology on his Twitter account saying: “I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The “Anti-Semitic” label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.”

He also issued an apology on Instagram: "To all Jewish families and communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologise. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled antisemitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish brothers and sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the documentary".

"I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against antisemitism by apologising for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the documentary I agreed with and disagreed with. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all. I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I am," posted on Irving's official Instagram account. 

According to CNN Business, Nets general manager Sean Marks told reporters Irving will have some "remedial steps and measures put in place".

In late October, other brands such as Balenciaga and Vogue have both dropped Kanye West after antisemitic comments. Balenciaga's parent firm, Kering, said the company "no longer has any relationship" with the rapper and neither does it have any future plans or projects with West.

Related articles: 

Balenciaga and Vogue drop Kanye West after antisemitic comments