Kyrie Irving has been suspended for at least five games without pay by the Brooklyn Nets after tweeting a link to an antisemitic film, which drew criticism and ire from around the league and beyond.
"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, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate," the team said in a statement Thursday.
"We believed that taking the path of education in this challenging situation would be the right one and thought that we had made progress with our joint commitment to eradicating hate and intolerance," the Nets said.
However, the team said that they were "dismayed" when Irving did not unequivocally state he has no antisemitic beliefs while speaking with the media earlier in the day, or even acknowledge the "specific hateful material" the film contains.
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"Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets," the statement read. "We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct."
The team said that the suspension will be no less than five games.
Nets owner Joe Tsai was among the many who voiced anger at Irving for posting a link to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” on his Twitter feed last week.
“I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles,” Irving said. “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.”
It was just a day ago that Irving said he opposed all forms of hate, and he and the team would donate $500,000 toward groups that work to eradicate it. But it was after Irving's rambling press conference with reporters earlier on Thursday that Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said that the organization would be refusing his donation.
"We were optimistic but after watching the debacle of a press conference, it’s clear that Kyrie feels no accountability for his actions," Greenblatt said in a tweet Thursday evening, adding that the organization "cannot in good conscience accept his donation."
Late Thursday night, Irving posted a lengthy message on Instagram in which he — for the first time — apologized.
"I posted a Documentary that contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion, and I take full accountability and responsibly for my actions," the post began. He added that he wanted to have "an open dialogue to learn more and grow" from the incident.
"To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary," the post continued. "I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against Anti- semticism [sic] by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the Documentary I agreed with and disagreed with. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all."
Earlier in the day, while not explicitly apologizing, Irving told reporters that he took responsibility for the negative impact on the Jewish community that was caused by his appearing to support an antisemitic work. That came as the Nets and their star guard were working to soothe the anger that had been directed at them since Irving's Twitter post and refusal to apologize for it.
“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” Irving said in a joint statement with the Nets and Anti-Defamation League. “I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility."
"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," he added. "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 hadn't spoken publicly since Saturday, when he defiantly defended his right to post about material he believes. He didn't talk to reporters after either of the Nets' home games since — one of them featuring fans wearing “Fight Antisemitism” shirts as they sat courtside.
“There is no room for antisemitism, racism, false narratives or misguided attempts to create animosity and hate,” said Sam Zussman, the CEO of BSE Global, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center. “Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need to ensure education in these areas. We are putting our prior statements into practice because actions speak louder than words.”
General manager Sean Marks previously said that the Nets had been in discussions with the ADL on the proper way to respond to the fallout involving Irving, who has not faced punishment from the league.
The Nets added that they and the WNBA's New York Liberty would host a series of community conversations at Barclays Center in partnership with ADL and other national civil rights organizations and local community associations.
