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Kyrie Irving’s relationship with Nike ‘is likely OVER,’ reveals co-founder Phil Knight after the Brooklyn Nets guard ‘stepped over the line’ amid ‘anti-Semitism’ row
Disgraced Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving’s relationship with Nike is ‘likely over’, said Phil Knight, the co-founder and chairman of the sportswear giant.
Nike suspended its partnership with the guard last week amid the backlash to Irving posting a link to the Amazon page of a film based on a book described as ‘anti-Semitic’.
The billionaire co-founder of the brand revealed the company may never return to its partnership with the NBA star.
‘I would doubt that we go back. But, I don’t know for sure,’ Knight said in an interview with CNBC.
‘Kyrie stepped over the line. It’s kind of that simple. He made some statements that we just can’t abide by, and that’s why we ended the relationship. And, I was fine with that.’
Nike cut its ties with Irving last Friday after he initially refused to apologize for his controversial tweet.
Kyrie Irving’s relationship with Nike is ‘likely over’, said Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman
It also said it will not launch the Kyrie 8s later this month – the shoe designed by the player and company.
A statement said: ‘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 out relationship with Kyrie Irving and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8.
‘We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone.’
Irving was suspended by the team Thursday night ‘until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct,’ as he refused to answer whether he held any anti-Semitic beliefs following the sharing of an anti-Semitic film on his Twitter account.
More to follow.
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