The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly given Kyrie Irving six requirements to fulfil before he is able to return from suspension.
NBA Insider at The Athletic, Shams Charania reports that the NBA team aren’t letting the star man back into the side too easily following his off-court controversy.
It comes after the All-Star guard was suspended by the Nets for a minimum of five games without pay after he promoted a film filled with antisemitic themes.
The team had given the 30-year-old multiple opportunities to apologise and disavow antisemitism, however, he failed to outrightly do so.
According to Charania, the requirements first and foremost include apologising and condemning the Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America film.
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He must also make a $500,000 donation to anti-hate causes of which the player had already committed to doing in the wake of the backlash to his promotion of the film.
Irving must also complete sensitivity and anti-Semitism training before he is to return.
He will also be required to meet with the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish leaders in order to educate them.
Finally, he must then meet with team owner Joe Tsai to demonstrate his understanding of the situation and why he was suspended.
According to ESPN, Tsai has initially given Irving ample time to apologise for his actions and attempted to help rectify the situation with the player.
However, Irving never returned a single of the owner’s text messages before it was decided he would be suspended.
When Irving declined to simply answer ‘no’ to whether he held antisemitic beliefs it was decided he would be suspended.
The player instead repeatedly replied: “I Cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from.”
In the wake of his suspension, the NBA star took to Instagram to apologise for his actions, although it is unclear whether it will be enough to tick off one of his requirements.
He wrote: “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 apologise. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labelled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish brothers and sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the documentary.
“I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against anti-semitiism by apologising for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the documentary I agreed with and disagreed with.
“I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all.
“I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I am.”
Nets general manager Sean Marks said the statement was a ‘step in the right direction’ but ‘certainly not enough’.
Topics: NBA, Basketball, US Sports
Jayden Collins