Reports: Brooklyn Nets and The Anti-Defamation League asks Jeff Bezos to modify content around Kyrie Irving on Amazon platform
Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving has been in the news once again, and not for his on-court activities. His activities have reportedly led the Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to send a request to Jeff Bezos to modify some streaming content on Amazon.
Irving uploaded a screenshot of the content to his Twitter page and has since been accused of being anti-Semitic. He had two opportunities to explain his stance but refused to explain in detail the reason for his post.
Things went downhill from there as it was believed he was promoting the movie. Nets owner Joe Tsai frowned upon Irving's actions and had a conversation with the player.
It has now been reported that the Anti-Defamation League and the Nets have gone a step further to address the issue at its origin. The movie has been streaming on Amazon, and they have made contact.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Nets and ADL requested Amazon owner Jeff Bezos make some adjustments. They have requested that the content either be taken down or some explanation be given.
"The Anti-Defamation League in conjunction with Brooklyn Nets have sent a letter to Jeff Bezos and Amazon leaders to either remove book/movie at center of Kyrie Irving situation from the platform or add explanation about issues with the content, sources tell me and @MikeVorkunov."
The Anti-Defamation League in conjunction with Brooklyn Nets have sent a letter to Jeff Bezos and Amazon leaders to either remove book/movie at center of Kyrie Irving situation from the platform or add explanation about issues with the content, sources tell me and @MikeVorkunov.
Irving has since apologized, acknowledging that his actions might have hurt some people.
The Brooklyn Nets suspend Kyrie Irving
Irving had several opportunities to clarify his stance but did not. That did not sit right with the Nets management, and amid the instability in the organization, they chose to suspend Irving.
In a statement, the Nets announced that the All-Star guard will miss at least five games without pay. The former NBA champ will also meet some requirements before his suspension is lifted.
The Nets and Kyrie Irving have both donated $500,000 each to the ADL. However, the organization has rejected Irving's donation as they believe his apology was not true to heart.
Fans called on the Nets to direct some blame to Amazon
There has been an uproar on social media, calling the organization's attention to the platform promoting the content. They pointed out that the streaming service has not received any backlash for its role in spreading the content.
NBA analyst Jay Williams also shared the same opinion. Although he did not exclude Irving from any blame, he highlighted that Amazon needs to be checked too.
On ESPN's "First Take," he spoke about how Amazon deserves some blame. Nonetheless, he highlighted that Kyrie Irving did a terrible job by not explaining his point of view:
"I watched the entire film. There's a lot of things in the film I disagree with. The curiosity nature of it is interesting, but I will say this. Where is that same attention and energy for the platform that is promoting it and promoting off of it?
"I don't hear any of that talk around Jeff Bezos and Amazon. I don't hear anybody talking about that. Everybody's skewing their anger toward Kyrie for taking a picture of it and tweeting about it. Now, there deserves to be more context there from Kyrie."
Perhaps Williams brought Drew some attention to Amazon, and the ADL has since taken action.