Nike Officially Terminates Kyrie Irving’s Endorsement Deal Following Antisemitism Controversy

Nike has officially terminated Kyrie Irving’s $11 million a year endorsement deal.

Early Monday, senior lead NBA insider Shams Charania said on Twitter, “Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike athlete, Nike spokesperson says.  The sides have parted ways one month after Nike suspended its relationship with the Nets star.  Irving has one of most popular signature shoes in the NBA and is now a sneaker-free agent.”

This decision comes just one month after Nike suspended its relationship with Irving and announced it would not release his long-awaited Kyrie 8 sneaker after he shared an antisemitic video.

“At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech, and we condemn any form of antisemitism.  To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie8.  We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone,” the company said last month.

The Nets, where Irving has played since 2019, also suspended him “for at least five games” after he tweeted a link to the antisemitic film and then failed to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.”

Since his suspension, Irving has apologized and is back playing on the court.

There hasn’t been an official statement from Nike on the end of its relationship with the player.