Nike Cuts Ties with NBA Star Irving Amid Anti-Semitism Controversy

"Opposition to Hate Speech... Suspension of Sponsorship and Halt of 'Kairi 8' Release" Statement Announced
Irving Posted and Deleted Anti-Semitic Controversial Post, Faces Minimum 5-Game Suspension

American NBA player Kyrie Irving recently sparked controversy over anti-Semitism, leading to disciplinary action by his team and the loss of sponsorship from Nike. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Global sports brand Nike announced on the 4th (local time) a statement suspending sponsorship of Kyrie Irving, a player for the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, who recently sparked controversy over anti-Semitism.

In the statement, Nike said, "We believe there is no place for hate speech and oppose any form of anti-Semitism," adding, "Therefore, we are ending our relationship with Irving and will not release the new shoe named after him, the 'Kyrie 8'." The 'Kyrie 8' was Irving's eighth sneaker with Nike and was scheduled for release on November 8. Originally, Nike's contract with Irving was valid until October 1, 2023. Nike has continued the Kyrie series since 2014, which, after LeBron James, has been one of the most profitable player series for Nike in recent years.

Irving, an NBA star and top-tier guard, recently caused controversy over anti-Semitism. He shared a link on his social media introducing a film and book containing anti-Semitic content, which led to backlash and the post's deletion. Subsequently, Irving explained, "I had no intention to harm anyone," and expressed his intention to donate $500,000 (about 700 million KRW) to organizations working to eradicate hate. However, he never clearly stated opposition to anti-Semitism. In response, his team, Brooklyn, announced on the 4th, "Irving's refusal to deny anti-Semitism violates our team's values and harms the team," adding, "We will withhold his salary and suspend him for at least five games until he objectively rectifies the issues caused by his actions." Irving's salary this season is $36.5 million (about 51.7 billion KRW), earning approximately $450,000 per game, so missing five games would result in a loss of about $2.25 million (about 3.1 billion KRW).

Irving's controversial behavior has not been limited to this incident. He refused COVID-19 vaccination, which was mandatory for participation at the time, causing him to miss games. In 2021, he called the Kyrie sneakers "trash." He also criticized Nike for planning to release a new series without his approval. Additionally, he has faced much criticism for actions such as leaving the team without permission during the season and observing Ramadan after converting to Islam.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.