Nike ‘ENDS its partnership with Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving’ following anti-Semitism scandal

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike athlete after the sportwear giant ended its relationship with the NBA star. 

The two sides have parted ways one month after Nike suspended its partnership with Irving in the wake of the player’s anti-Semitism row, according to Shams Charania. 

Irving faced criticism and backlash after sharing a link to the Amazon page for a film based on a book described as ‘venomously anti-Semitic’. 

Nike cut its ties with Irving in November after he initially refused to apologize for his controversial tweet.

In a statement, the company said it was ‘deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation’.

The brand also said it would not launch the Kyrie 8s – the shoe designed by the player and company – which were set to be released later in November.

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike athlete after anti-Semitism scandal 

Irving signed with Nike in 2011 and has had a signature line of shoes since 2014, with his annual endorsement deal believed to be worth at least $11 million.

Irving has one of the most popular signature shoes in the NBA and is now a sneaker free agent. 

Nike co-founder and chairman Phil Knight had suggested soon after the suspension if the partnership that the relationship between the brand and Irving was ‘likely over.’

‘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.’

Irving had also been suspended by the Nets after he initially failed to apologize for the controversial tweet. 

Irving was suspended by the team on November 3 for a minimum of five games, hours after he refused to say he had no anti-Semitic beliefs when meeting with reporters at the Nets’ practice facility. 

Irving offered a belated apology following his suspension, but only after several contentious exchanges with the media. In one instance, he told reporters: ‘I’m not going to stand down on anything I believe in.’

Irving missed eight games through suspension before apologizing again on November 20 to anyone who felt threatened or hurt when he posted a link to a documentary with anti-Semitic material, clearing the way to finally play again for the Nets. 

More to follow.