Global sportswear company Nike has suspended their relationship with Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving with immediate effect after he posted a link to an anti-semitic video on social media.
The suspension comes after the Nets announced that Irving will serve at least a five-game suspension and he will serve his punishment without pay which could cost him approximately $2.2 million in salary.
The announcement that stalls the launch of Irving’s signature shoe read, “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism.
“To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately.”
Irving’s contract with Nike is worth around $13 million and his signature shoes with Nike (Kyrie 7 ) are reportedly the most popular among NBA players, after Kobe Bryant’s sneakers during 2019-20 season.
Irving has taken to his Instagram story to issue an apology: “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 apologize… I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate.”
In his absence, the Nets secured back-to-back wins against Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets. They are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference standings
