Brooklyn Nets suspend Kyrie Irving over 'deeply disturbing' refusal to 'disavow antisemitism'
The Brooklyn Nets on Thursday suspended guard Kyrie Irving for a least five games without pay, saying he's "currently unfit to be associated" with the team after his repeated refusal to apologize for posting about an antisemitic movie last week. "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," the Nets said. His refusal to "disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity" was "deeply disturbing" and constituted "conduct detrimental to the team."
Since Irving posted about Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, the NBA, the Nets, the National Basketball Players Association, and team owner Joe Tsai issued statements against antisemitism, the Nets fired coach Steve Nash, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his disappointment that Irving's "has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize."
Irving gave it another go Thursday afternoon in a press conference, and it didn't go well. After the Nets announced the punishment, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt called suspension "well-deserved" and said the ADL will no longer accept the $500,000 donation Irving announced Wednesday to support anti-hate causes with the Jewish organization.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Irving, 30, won't take the court again until at least Nov. 13, assuming he meets the conditions the Nets set for his reinstatement. The suspension will cost the all-star guard $1.25 million of his $36.9 million salary this year, The Washington Post reports.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
5 deliciously funny cartoons about turkeys
Cartoons Artists take on pardons, executions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Europe roiled by attacks on Israeli soccer fans
Speed Read Israeli fans supporting the Maccabi Tel Aviv team clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in 'antisemitic attacks,' Dutch authorities said
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New York wins WNBA title, nearly nabs World Series
Speed Read The Yankees with face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Fall Classic
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
LeBron, Bronny James make dad-son NBA debut
Speed Read Basketball star LeBron James and his son LeBron Jr. made history by playing together in the Lakers' preseason game
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The economics of taxpayer-subsidized stadiums
In Depth Shiny new stadiums can end up costing taxpayers billions
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is legalized betting hurting sports?
Today's Big Question A 'building avalanche of gambling scandals' threatens competition
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
South Carolina ends perfect season with NCAA title
Speed Read The women's basketball team won a victory over superstar Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Iowa's Caitlin Clark breaks NCAA scoring record
speed read College basketball star Caitlin Clark set the new record in Iowa's defeat of Ohio State
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published