Nets condemn Kyrie Irving’s promotion of antisemitic film

NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai issued a statement Friday night condemning guard Kyrie Irving‘s decision to promote an antisemitic film and book on his social media accounts.

“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-Semitic disinformation,” Tsai tweeted. “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 (@joetsai1999) October 29, 2022

As Rolling Stone initially reported in an article earlier Friday, Irving promoted a movie called “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” that, as the magazine points out, is “stuffed with antisemitic tropes.”

Irving posted a tweet Thursday that linked out to the film’s Amazon page. The movie, which was released in 2018, is based on a 2015 book by the same name.

“The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech,” the team said in a statement Friday. “We believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue. We thank those, including the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), who have been supportive during this time.”

Irving, who has not addressed the decision to promote the book and movie, participated in Saturday’s shootaround and is expected to speak with reporters after their game against the Indiana Pacers.

Nets guard Joe Harris said he was “not aware” of the controversy surrounding Irving. As for Irving’s attitude during Saturday’s walk-through, Harris said it was “business as usual.”