Kyrie Irving, along with the Brooklyn Nets, will make $500,000 donations each to “eradicate hate and intolerance” in communities after the player’s promotion of an antisemitic film on Twitter. But, his statement was missing a direct apology.
The Brooklyn Nets have been in the news cycle quite frequently. From their 2-6 start to the season, head coach Steve Nash parting ways with the team, and most notably, Kyrie Irving’s social media activity.
Irving tweeted out a link to a film on Amazon that contained antisemitic tropes that has since been deleted. Irving then had a contentious back-and-forth with ESPN reporter Nick Friedell this past Friday, where he said he could “post whatever [he] want[s]” on social media.
On Wednesday, the Nets, Irving, and the Anti-Defamation League released a joint statement, announcing that the player and team will donate $500,000 each towards “causes and organizations that eradicate hate and intolerance from our communities.”
Irving says that he was “aware of the negative impact” of his post in the statement, but it did not include a direct apology.
Kyrie Irving, Nets donate $500,000 each to ‘eradicate hate and intolerance’ following antisemitic tweet
“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” Irving says in the official joint statement. “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.”
After sharing the link, Nets owner Joe Tsai condemned Irving’s tweet. Irving then responded shortly afterward in a separate tweet, saying that he is an “OMNIST” and that he “meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs.”
During the aforementioned press conference, Irving addressed a conspiracy theory about “the New World Order” from Alex Jones that he shared on social media, calling it “true,” while distancing himself from Jones’ claims that the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre was a “hoax.”
Irving took exception to the reporter calling his tweet of the film containing antisemitic messaging a “promotion.” Irving then said that the reporter was “dehumanizing him” and that he could post whatever he wanted before leaving the press conference.
Following the team’s 116-109 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday, Irving was not made available to the media.