![]() “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,” Irving wrote. Hours later, Irving posted an apology on Instagram for not explaining the specific beliefs he agreed and disagreed with when he posted the documentary. That, evidently, was the last straw for the Nets, who suspended him. Silver then issued a new statement calling on Irving by name to apologize, and Irving refused to give a direct answer when asked Thursday if he has antisemitic beliefs. ![]() On Wednesday, Irving said he opposes all forms of hate, and he and the Nets each announced that they would each donate $500,000 toward groups that work to eradicate it. The Nets and coach Steve Nash parted ways Tuesday, a development that has been overshadowed by the Irving saga. Fans wearing “Fight Antisemitism” shirts occupied some courtside seats at the Brooklyn-Indiana game on Monday night, a day after he took down the tweet. ![]() The NBA put out a statement over the weekend that didn't name Irving but denounced all forms of hate speech. In a contentious postgame interview session last Saturday, Irving defended his right to post what he wants. Irving posted a tweet - which has since been deleted - last week with a link to the documentary “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which includes Holocaust denial and conspiracy theories about Jews. “But I hope he understands how what he did and the actions that he took were just harmful to a lot of people.” “We as humans, none of us are perfect,” James said. James, who has been with Nike for the entirety of his 20-season NBA career, said he still has great fondness for Irving. ![]() Irving has had a signature line with Nike since 2014. “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." “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism," the Beaverton, Oregon-based company said. Those actions followed widespread criticism - from, among many others, the Anti-Defamation League and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. The Nets made that move Thursday, banning Irving without pay for at least five games, and a day later, Nike made its decision. The shoe giant announced Friday night that it will halt its relationship with Irving, who has been suspended by the Nets for what the team called a repeated failure to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.” Nike has suspended its relationship with Kyrie Irving and canceled its plans to release his next signature shoe, the latest chapter in the ongoing fallout since the Brooklyn Nets guard tweeted a link to a film containing antisemitic material. ![]()
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