Topline
The Brooklyn Nets will suspend star guard Kyrie Irving without pay for at least five games, the team announced Thursday evening, after he did not apologize for promoting an antisemitic film on Twitter last weekend, which the Nets called “deeply disturbing.”
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving sets up a play during the second half of an NBA basketball game … [+]
Key Facts
The team said in a statement that Irving has refused on multiple occassions to disavow antisemitism or state he is not antisemitic, which “constitutes conduct detrimental to the team.”
The suspension will last a minimum of five games, and Irving will not be able to return to the floor “until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct,” though the Nets did not specify what those steps are.
Irving pledged $500,000 to the Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday, stating he “takes responsibility” for “the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community,” and he told reporters Thursday he “respects all walks of life,” but he has not explicitly apologized for his tweet.
Crucial Quote
“We are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets,” the team said in a statement.
Key Background
The controversy erupted last week when Irving tweeted a link to a film called “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which contained antisemitic tropes claiming Jews worship the devil and are plotting world domination. The tweet was widely condemned, with numerous NBA observers calling on Irving to be suspended. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver weighed in earlier Thursday, calling Irving’s comments “reckless” and criticizing the player for failing to make a full apology. The seven-time all-star guard has a history of pushing conspiracy theories and sat out most of last season after refusing to get vaccinated for Covid-19.
Further Reading
Kyrie Irving Antisemitism Controversy: Stoudemire Latest To Call Out Nets Star (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/11/03/nets-suspend-kyrie-irving-for-pushing-antisemitic-film/