Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai on Kyrie Irving promoting antisemitic movie and book: "I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us"
Kyrie Irving has made some questionable decisions on and off the court throughout his career. He recently tweeted and posted on IG an Amazon link to a book called “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake up Black America.”
The move promptly earned a rebuke from both the Brooklyn Nets and team owner Joe Tsai. After being made aware of Irving’s tweet, Tsai quickly responded:
“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation. 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.”
I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation. 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.
Joe Tsai wanted to emphasize that he is addressing Irving's social media message because "this is bigger than basketball."
The Brooklyn Nets also sent an unequivocal message following Kyrie Irving’s post via The Athletic:
“The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech. We believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue. We thank those, including the ADL, who have been supportive during this time.”
Amazon’s description describes the work as a book that “ will expose the truths that have been hidden by the powers that be in America.” It claims to be the one book that all Black people must read to know “who God's Chosen People really are and who Satan's army is really after.”
Kyrie Irving has so far kept mum after the Brooklyn Nets and Joe Tsai admonished him.
The Nets have two days off after losing to the Dallas Mavericks, which is their fourth of the season. Irving couldn’t be reached for comment.
Kyrie Irving has supported various off-beat ideas
Kyrie Irving promoting an antisemitic book isn’t his first strange if not highly-questionable decision. He previously earned the ridicule of the basketball world for pushing the idea that the world is flat. Irving has since admitted that he just wanted to see what would come out of that ridiculous claim.
Recently, criticism has rained down on Irving for sharing a video on IG “The Free Thought Project” and passionately talking about the “New World Order.”
In the video, Alex Jones, who was ordered to pay $965 million to families for claiming Sandy Hook was a hoax, narrated:
"Yes there have been corrupt empires, yes they manipulate, yes there are secret societies, yes there have been oligarchies throughout history. And yes, today in 2002 there is a tyrannical organization calling itself 'The New World Order.'"
Kyrie Irving just posted a video clip entitled “Never Forget - Alex Jones Tried To Warn Us” with Jones claiming back in 2002 that a “New World Order” would release “plagues upon us…” https://t.co/sz2Ps7Fbrn
Irving was on Twitch while playing NBA 2K23, to rant and backup Jones’ conspiracy theories and rip critics:
"I'm here to show you guys you do not have to fear anything out here, "They say we should care about...I don't want to say 'They.'
"Society tells us we should be, you know, 'You're trending on Twitter, Kyrie. You're gonna get canceled... how insensitive!' Nah, bro. It has nothing to do with being insensitive. I honestly care about society. I just don't want to lie."
Kyrie Irving has projected the image of a philosopher who has unlocked some of the universe’s biggest mysteries. His thoughts and messages, however, often end up being too confusing and wild for most to accept and believe.
It remains to be seen what will come out of the dialogue between Kyrie Irving and Joe Tsai if they eventually sit down and talk.