Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving’s relationship with Nike ‘is likely over’

Disgraced Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving’s relationship with Nike is “probably over,” said Phil Knight, the co-founder and chairman of the sportswear giant.

Nike last week suspended its partnership with the security guard due to backlash against Irving who posted a link to the Amazon page of a movie based on a book described as “anti-Semitic.”

The billionaire, co-founder of the brand, revealed that the company may never return to its partnership with the NBA star.

“I doubt we’ll go back. But I’m not sure,” Knight said in an interview with CNBC.

“Kyrie stepped over the line. It’s that simple. He made some statements that we just can’t stick to, which is why we ended the relationship. And that was fine with me.’

Nike cut ties with Irving last Friday after he initially refused to apologize for his controversial tweet.

Kyrie Irving’s relationship with Nike is “probably over,” said Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman

Nike suspended its relationship with the Brooklyn Nets guard last week due to adversity

Sportswear giant’s co-founder Phil Knight said he doubts it will ever ‘go back’ to a deal

It also said it won’t be launching the Kyrie 8s later this month – the shoe designed by the player and the company.

A statement said: “We believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of anti-Semitism.

“As a result, we have made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving and 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 complies with a set of objective corrective actions that address the harmful consequences of his behavior” for refusing to answer whether he held anti-Semitic beliefs after sharing an anti-Semitic film on his Twitter account.

Posting a link to the Amazon page for the 2018 movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” Irving quickly found himself in hot water over the film’s anti-Semitic tropes.

Among other harmful ideas, it claims that “many famous high-ranking Jews have admitted to worshiping Satan or Lucifer.”

The film is based on a 2015 book of the same name.

Irving initially opposed the idea that he could share anti-Semitic ideas, saying last Thursday he couldn’t be anti-Semitic “because he knows where he comes from.”

Irving has been banned for at least five games by his team, the Nets, over the scandal

Despite initially refusing to resign, he finally apologized after his suspension.

Nets general manager Sean Marks announced on Wednesday that the franchise has had no contact with Irving since his suspension last week.

“Nothing to share,” Marks told reporters on Wednesday, ahead of the Battle of New York at the Barclays Center. “At the right time, when we talk and if there’s an update to share, I’ll be sure to share it.”

It was unveiled last Friday by ESPN that the Nets and Irving had reached a point of no communication and that conversations were only being held with his agent and stepmother, Shetellia Ray.

Brooklyn Nets GM Sean Marks has revealed he has had no contact with Irving since the ban

During that time, owner Joe Tsai resisted any noise regarding the indefinite suspension of the one-time NBA champion, a stance that both Marks and league commissioner Adam Silver reportedly refused to take, as he preferred to give his star another one. opportunity to apologize, because as well as redeem and educate themselves.

Silver met with the controversial player on Tuesday to discuss the situation as he works his way back from the indefinite suspension.

The visit is said to have been “productive and understanding” and “paves the way for the Nets and their suspended star to work through his steps on a potential path forward,” said The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Nets owner Joe Tsai countered any noise regarding Irving’s indefinite suspension from the team

NBA commissioner Adam Silver reportedly opposed hiring Udoka, who is serving a season ban for failing to disclose an affair he had with a female Celtics employee.

The commissioner had announced his intention to talk to Irving last week when he released a statement decrying the player’s lack of apology.

“While we appreciate his agreement to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to fight anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unreserved apology and more specifically the despicable and harmful exposed content. in the film he chose to publish,” Silver said in a statement.

“I will meet Kyrie in person next week to discuss this situation.”