Nike will initially refrain from working with the controversial basketball star Kyrie Irving. This was announced by the US sports article company on Friday evening (local time).
“At Nike, we believe that hate speech has no place and we condemn all forms of anti-Semitism. We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone,” Nike said in a statement released to US media.
On his Twitter account, Irving shared a link to the film entitled “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America”, which was criticized as anti-Semitic and which US media also classified as racist and misogynist, homophobic and Islamophobic. After the basketball star failed to distance himself from anti-Semitism at a press round, the Brooklyn Nets suspended the player for at least five games. Only then did Irving apologize on his Instagram account.
According to the US broadcaster ESPN, the contract between Nike and Irving runs until October 1, 2023. The controversial basketball star has his own shoe from the sports goods company, which many other NBA players also wear. The eighth edition, the “Kyrie 8”, will not be launched by Nike, it said. That was scheduled for November 8th. (dpa)