The Brooklyn Nets announced Thursday the team has suspended Kyrie Irving at least five games without pay for failing to “disavow antisemitism.”
The suspension comes after Irving shared a link to a film that espouses antisemitic sentiments and refused to say he does not have antisemitic beliefs when directly asked.
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The team said they are “of the view” that Irving “is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets,” according to a statement Thursday.
Statement from the Brooklyn Nets pic.twitter.com/699px8XYpx
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 4, 2022
Earlier in the day, Irving refused to say whether he holds any antisemitic beliefs. “I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from,” he said when asked by reporters.
Kyrie Irving is asked if he has any anti-Semitic beliefs: pic.twitter.com/hHI8FFqMbs
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) November 3, 2022
In a joint statement with the Nets and the Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday, Irving said he opposed “all forms of hatred and oppression” and was “aware of the negative impact” his post had on Jewish people. He had said he was “learning from all walks of life” but the next day refused to say whether he held antisemitic beliefs.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement Thursday that he was “disappointed” that Irving “has not offered an unqualified apology” regarding his initial post with the link to the controversial film and that he will meet with him in the next week.
“Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material. While we appreciate the fact that he agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize. I will be meeting with Kyrie in person in the next week to discuss this situation,” Silver said.
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Irving previously made headlines while with the Nets for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine despite a mandate for workers in New York City, leading to an arrangement for much of the 2021-2022 season in which Irving only played for the team in games not played in New York City. The city eventually made an exception in the vaccine mandate for athletes.
