Following Kyrie Irving‘s recently released statement for promoting an anti-Semitic film, Brooklyn Nets suspended him for failing to apologize properly. The organization feels he’s unworthy to be a member of the team for at least five games.
To that effect, the team on Thursday night released a statement declaring their latest decision about the seven times NBA All-Star. The management stated that they have made several attempts to work with the athlete to help him “understand the harm and danger of his words and actions.”
They also explained that in light of this challenging situation, taking the path of education would be the right one. Kyrie Irving’s Brooklyn Nets went ahead to suspend him after claiming they made progress with our joint commitment to eradicating hate and intolerance.
Breaking: The Nets have suspended Kyrie Irving without pay, the team announced.
The suspension will be for "no less than five games," the team said. pic.twitter.com/qCpVIc1yZC
— ESPN (@espn) November 3, 2022
Brooklyn Nets Suspend Kyrie Irving After He Acknowledged Hurting The Jewish Community
Brooklyn Nets suspending Kyrie Irving after he acknowledged hurting the Jewish community and donating $500k is something many didn’t see coming. The team also pledged the same amount making it $1 million.
However, the monetary enticement and apology by the team and star didn’t sit well with some people. Per TMZ, Adam Silver, for one, was unmoved by the athlete’s words.
Silver and many others feel Irving’s apology wasn’t authentic enough. In the star’s statement released yesterday, it was discovered that he didn’t use the word “sorry. This made them believe that his apology wasn’t really heartfelt.
On Thursday, the 30-year-old met with the members of the media and reportedly refused to apologize “directly.” The team also spoke about the situation and stated that they were “dismayed” by the athlete’s decision not to denounce anti-Semitism unequivocally.
This morning, Kyrie Irving’s meeting with the media was the final straw before Brooklyn Nets got to suspend him for at least five games. It’s noteworthy that Brooklyn as a place has one of the largest Jewish populations in America.
The Nets decided to serve a suspension without pay until Irving satisfies a series of objective remedial measures. If the star serves the minimum suspension, he’d be qualified to return against the Lakers on November 13th in Los Angeles.
The Nets will play the Washington Wizards Friday night in D.C., and the athlete will not be on the court. Irving’s hesitation to apologize openly indicates that he may not do the team’s bidding.
Fingers crossed!
