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The Brooklyn Nets have suspended NBA star Kyrie Irving a week after he shared a link to a movie that espouses anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
- Irving has posted on social media and fronted the media multiple times since sharing the link
- The Nets said his refusal "to unequivocally say he has no anti-Semitic beliefs" was "deeply disturbing"
- The Anti-Defamation League says the film "amplifies longstanding anti-Semitic tropes"
Last week Irving tweeted a link to a film titled Hebrews To Negroes: Wake Up Black America, a documentary that, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), "amplifies longstanding anti-Semitic tropes about Jewish power, control and greed", and casts doubt on the extent of the genocide of Jewish people during the holocaust.
The 30-year-old has been banned for at least five games without pay after refusing to explicitly apologise for promoting the movie and or "unequivocally say he has no anti-Semitic beliefs".
"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 Nets said in a statement.
Since posting the link, Irving on social media and in press conferences repeatedly defended his right to do so, before eventually admitting there were some "falsehoods" and "questionable" content in the movie.
When pushed, he said he did not believe "some of the criticism of the Jewish faith and the community", saying "some points made in there were unfortunate".
But when asked directly by reporters if he held any anti-Semitic views, he only said: "I cannot be anti-Semitic if I know where I come from."
"We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no anti-Semitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity – but failed – to clarify," the Nets said.
"Such failure to disavow anti-Semitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organisation, 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."
Irving had a back and forth with journalists after the Nets' last game, saying he did not necessarily believe everything in the movie nor was he "promoting" the movie by posting the link to his 4 million Twitter followers.
He later released a joint written statement with the Nets and the ADL.
"I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalised and impacted every day," Irving said.
"I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles."
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement of his own about Irving's "reckless decision" to share the "deeply offensive" movie.
"I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicise," he said.
Silver said he would speak to Kyrie in person to discuss the situation, but Irving obfuscated when asked by journalists about a face-to-face meeting with the league.
"I was informed that they wanted to have a meeting and we handled it," he said.
Irving's suspension comes just days after the Nets fired head coach Steve Nash.