The Nets and the Anti-Defamation League have reportedly sent a letter to Amazon and owner Jeff Bezos in regards to an antisemitic film and book at the center of a recent controversy involving Kyrie Irving.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Mike Vorkunov reported Friday the organizations sent a letter to Bezos and Amazon leaders asking the company to either remove the documentary, Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, and the 2015 book the film is based on from its platform, or add an explanation about issues with the content.
Irving, 30, was suspended without pay by the Nets for at least the next five games on Thursday after repeatedly refusing to apologize for a since-deleted tweet he shared with an Amazon link to the documentary on Oct. 29.
The team said the suspension would last until Irving satisfied a “series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct.” Irving is also expected to meet with NBA commissioner Adam Silver next week.
Shortly after news of the discipline broke, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt announced the organization would not accept a $500K donation Irving intended to send along with an additional $500K donation from the Nets. Greenblatt noted that the ADL could not accept the money in “good conscience” because it did not feel that Irving was truly remorseful for his actions.
Irving stood by his decision to endorse the film on numerous occasions, including in a brief press conference Thursday afternoon, before eventually issuing an apology on Instagram hours after receiving the suspension.
“While doing research on YHWH, 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,” Irving wrote. “I am grateful to have a big platform to share knowledge and I want to move forward by having an open dialogue to learn more and grow from this. 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 had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate.”
A report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne released Friday afternoon divulged details regarding the events leading up to the suspension. ESPN reported Nets owner Joe Tsai “kept extending the clock” for Irving to apologize, and even sent the guard numerous text messages that were ultimately ignored.
In the end, Tsai, who previously called the controversy “bigger than basketball” in a tweet condemning Irving’s actions, reportedly chose to take matters into his own hands after a week of non-action. The decision was also spurned by Thursday’s press conference during which Irving rebuffed a question directly asking if he held any antisemitic beliefs.
“I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from,” Irving said.
On Friday morning, Nets general manager Sean Marks acknowledged Irving’s situation during a press conference, and shared that the club never considered releasing the 11-year veteran despite the intense backlash from the past week. Marks went on to acknowledge the apology as “a step” in making amends, per ESPN’s Nick Friedell, but added that the Nets still want Irving to take additional steps, including meeting with Jewish leaders, before he would be allowed to play again.
