The Brooklyn Nets have suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five games after the team claims he continually refused to offer a sincere repentance for endorsing an anti-Semitic movie, and the organization has declared him to be “temporarily unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”
The 30-year-old, 7-time NBA All-Star tweeted about the movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” a week before to the team’s announcement of the transfer in a statement posted Thursday night.
We have tried repeatedly over the past few days to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, starting with him promoting a horrific antisemitic hate film “stated the Nets.
“In this difficult scenario, we considered that choosing the educational route would be the best option, and we felt that our shared commitment to eradicating hatred and prejudice had advanced.
The Anti-Defamation League claims that the “video promotes sentiments typical of antisemitic and extreme BHI factions.”
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Nevertheless, many people, including commissioner Adam Silver, were unconvinced by Kyrie’s statements despite the joint statement on Wednesday night in which Irving acknowledged harming the Jewish community and pledged $1 million ($500K from Kyrie, Nets).
He refused to directly apologize once more when he met with media representatives on Thursday.
“We were shocked today when Kyrie declined to explicitly state that he has no antisemitic sentiments or recognise any specific vile content in the movie when given the chance in a media conference. He had the chance to clarify before, but each time he declined.
The franchise, which has been having difficulties on the court as well, has reached its breaking point after this morning’s public availability.
It is highly troubling, goes against our organization’s principles, and constitutes conduct that is bad for the team when antisemitism isn’t denounced when there is a clear opportunity to do so. We believe that he is currently unsuited to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets as a result.”
Just so you know, Brooklyn boasts one of America’s largest Jewish populations.
The Nets kept playing. “We have determined that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he completes a number of objective corrective actions that address the negative effects of his behavior, with the suspension serving a minimum of five games.
Irving won’t be on the court for the Nets’ game against the Wizards on Friday night in Washington, D.C. He would be permitted to play against the Lakers on November 13 in Los Angeles if he completed the required amount of time in jail.
That’s a big IF, though, given Kyrie’s reluctance to apologize.
