Brooklyn Nets Suspend Kyrie Irving For “No Less Than Five Games”
deadline.comAmid an escalating crisis around anti-Semitic tropes promoted by all-star point guard Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets have announced this evening that Irving will be suspended without pay “until he satisfies a series of objective material measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period served is no less than five games.” In a gaggle with the media this morning, Irving repeatedly refused to say directly that he does not hold Anti-Semitic views after he posted a link to a film that, per the ADL, “promotes beliefs commonly found among antisemitic and extremist factions” of a movement based on disproven conspiracy theories.
News of the suspension was reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The Nets’ full statement reads: Over the last several days, we have made repeated attempts to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate.
We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film.
This was not the first time he had the opportunity – but failed – to clarify. Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team.
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