UPDATED November 11, 3:05 p.m. ET: Joe Tsai shared today that he met with Kyrie and his family. He states, “The Nets and Kyrie, together with the NBA and NBPA, are working constructively toward a process of forgiveness, healing and education.”
UPDATED November 2, 9:30 p.m. ET: Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Anti-Defamation League released a joint statement in light of the backlash to posting a link to a documentary containing anti-Semitic tropes.
Irving and the Nets pledged a donation of $500,000 each, which will put towards “causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities.” The statement includes Kyrie assuming responsibility for the post and declaring that the documentary’s subject matter does not reflect his own “morals and principles.”
“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” Irving said. “I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light.”
Irving has not spoken to the media since his back-and-forth with ESPN reporter Nick Friedell during a post-game press conference. Nets general manager Sean Marks acknowledged after the incident that Kyrie would need to speak out about the documentary, but said they want to go about it the right way.
“I think everybody knows he’s going to have to answer these questions at some point,” Marks said. “He hasn’t sort of shied away in the past, but I think the last postgame meeting didn’t go well and I think we’re not trying to cover it up. I think this is something that needs to be addressed, but let’s address it in the right form and fashion.”
See the original story from 10/29/22 below.
Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai is “disappointed” after all-star guard Kyrie Irving appeared to promote a film and book considered to be antisemitic.
On Thursday, Kyrie sparked backlash after posting a link on social media for the documentary Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.
As pointed out by Rolling Stone, the 2018 film, which is based on a 2015 book of the same name written by the film’s director, Ronald Dalton, Jr., focuses on numerous antisemitic tropes, including claims that “many famous high-ranking Jews have admitted to worship[ing] Satan or Lucifer.”
Tsai hopped on Twitter Friday night to condemn Kyrie’s actions.
“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-Semitic disinformation,” Tsai said. “I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion.
In another tweet, the Nets owner wrote, “This is bigger than basketball.”
Following Tsai’s remarks, the Nets addressed Kyrie’s actions in an official statement.
“The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech,” the team said Friday. “We believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue. We thank those, including the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), who have been supportive during this time.”
Kyrie shared more thoughts on Saturday, writing, “I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The ‘Anti-Semitic’ label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.”
