Irving joined Nike as a rookie in 2011, and his first signature shoe was introduced in 2014. Forbes believes that Irving’s $11 million yearly salary with Nike in 2019 ranked among the top 10 shoe agreements in the NBA at the time.
Irving’s signature endorsement deal with the brand, which was set to expire on October 1, 2023, was instantly canceled when he posted a link to a film that was purportedly promoting anti-Semitism (discrimination against Jews) in 2022.
A link to the movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” was tweeted by Kyrie Irving, according to CBS News. According to the Amazon summary, the 2018 movie features extreme views of Black Hebrew Israelites, who argue that Black people are the only true descendants of ancient Israelites. It also added that, in this well researched film, audiences will “uncover the truth about the biblical identity of the so-called ‘Negro,’ which has been concealed for centuries by Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.” According to Rolling Stone, the movie, which is based on the 2015 book, makes the claim that some well-known, powerful Jews have “admitted” to “worship[ing] Satan or Lucifer.”
Kyrie posting this movie caused a negative ripple effect in the hearts of many. Though Kyrie’s action may not have been intended to be harmful or as overblown as it was, we live in a society where people are always looking for situations to capitalize on and damage the reputations of people and businesses they may be connected to. This was exactly what the NBA and Nike were avoiding. Millions of internet users came rushing and wasted no time in voicing their opinions, pointing out the possibility of Kyrie encouraging discrimination. With this situation beyond control, there were only a few options left, comply and follow the wishes of the customers. Without wanting to risk losing users and profits, like any other sensible business owner, Nike was forced to cut ties with Kyrie.
Kyrie should have considered the implications beforehand as celebrities that support racism or discrimination will end up being terminated in terms of brand deals and endorsements.
“At Nike, we reject all forms of antisemitism and think that hate speech has no place here. In light of this, we have decided to immediately sever our ties with Kyrie Irving and to cancel the Kyrie 8 campaign. We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone,” according to Nike in a published statement to Footwear News.
Kyrie crossed the boundary. Phil Knight, the creator of Nike, told CNBC, “It’s kind of that simple.” We ended things with him because of several things he said that we just can’t follow. And it was okay with me.”
“Kyrie Irving is no longer a part of Nike Athlete,” a Nike spokesperson also told NPR.
As Shetellia Riley Irving, Irving’s agent, put it to CBS MoneyWatch, “both Nike and Kyrie mutually decided to part ways.”
A day after declaring the split, Nike reduced the cost of Irving’s trademark trainers by up to 50% on some styles, according to CBSN.
Kyrie shared on this Twitter account in reaction to the backslash from the public that;
“As an OMNIST, I had no intention of disparaging anyone’s religious convictions. The label of “anti-Semitic” that is being applied to me is unjustified and does not accurately represent the reality or truth that I encounter on a daily basis. I accept all religions and styles of life and wish to learn from them.”
This comment alone wasn’t enough to quench the fire he had started because he still refused to say whether or not he harbored antisemitic views. As a result, he was suspended for eight games without pay and lost out on almost $3.6 million in compensation the same year.
Apart from facing suspension and being declared “unfit” to be a part of the Brooklyn Net, Kyrie was also instructed to issue an apology and/or condemn antisemitism. He refused to denounce antisemitism but only apologized on his Instagram page in November, 2022. He wrote that;
“I sincerely apologize for causing you any grief, and I extend my apologies to any Jewish families and communities who have been impacted by my comments. Initially, I responded emotionally to being wrongly called anti-Semitic, rather than concentrating on helping my Jewish brothers and sisters who were harmed by the offensive comments in the documentary to recover.
In order to dispel any doubt about my stance against anti-Semitism, I would like to offer my sincere apologies for sharing the documentary without any background information, along with a factual statement detailing the particular viewpoints in the film that I supported and opposed. I had no desire to spread hatred or show disdain for Jewish cultural history surrounding the Holocaust.”
Forbes reports that the post was removed less than a week after Kyrie Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2023. Kyrie stated, “I delete things all the time. It’s no disrespect to anyone within the community. I’m just living my life. I stand by who I am and why I apologized. I did it because I care about my family. I have Jewish members of my family that care for me deeply.”
Irving had no issues with the trade because he was happy to be on the Mavericks going forward. In an interview with ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, he even discussed the influence the Dallas environment has had on him as well as how his departure from Brooklyn allowed him to grow off the court.
Kyrie Irving, who is thriving with the Dallas Mavericks, expressed his wish to play for an Olympic team once again. He was not, however, one of the 12 NBA players selected to compete for the United States men’s basketball team in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
NBA selectors chose first time Olympians like Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Haliburton at guard instead of Irving, who won gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
One can’t help but wonder if this oversight was as a result of the antisemitic controversy, NBA previous 8-game suspension or if Nike, being part of Olympic investors, doesn’t just want Kyrie to play in the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
According to Sportskeeda, the primary reason Kyrie was left off the list was because of his lack of playing time. This season, Irving missed 22 games due to severe foot and hand injuries, particularly early in the season.
Further complicating matters for Irving’s selection is the fact that he plays in the West, home to several guards of All-Star caliber.
Part of that fan love also faded after his off-court antics and lost opportunity with one of the biggest sneaker deals with Nike.
The public’s perception of Kyrie Irving has also diminished. The player voting category was difficult for Kyrie Irving. Among guards in the West, he was ranked seventh place. James Harden and De’Aaron Fox, who were both left out of this season’s All-Star game, came in just behind him in the standings.
CNN covered Kyrie’s response to not being selected as part of the Olympic team. According to Kyrie, he “just didn’t fit” with the group.
“Best wishes to my brothers. It was a difficult task to deliberate. But once more, I have the utmost regard for those guys at USAB’, he said to reporters following Thursday’s Mavericks practice.
Irving then started to reminisce about the last national team selection process. He said;
“Clearly, the timing has changed, but I kind of miss the times when everyone could gather, break bread, and then engage in competition with one another. Even though everyone knows who will be on the squad, the deliberation process takes place at the conclusion of the four or five-day procedure.”
“I think my focus should be on winning a championship at this point in my career, and in the summer, I’m just going to go support those guys when I get the chance,” he continued.
Whatever the case, Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers will be the tough first-round opponent for Irving’s Mavericks as they begin their postseason campaign.