Kyrie Irving and Nets release joint statement, will donate $1,000,000 / News - Basketnews.com

Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving will work with the Anti-Defamation League and will donate $500,00 each toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in communities.

Credit: AFP - Scanpix Credit AFP - Scanpix

Kyrie Irving has now famously promoted a movie that is considered to be antisemitic on his Twitter account. After multiple days of backlash and public pressure, the player seems to have backed off of his stance.

Kyrie Irving

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The player and the Brooklyn Nets organization have released a joint statement regarding the issue, promising to donate money toward organizations that fight all forms of hate.

The statement reads:

The events of the past week have sparked many emotions within the Nets organization, our Brooklyn community, and the nation. The public discourse that followed has brought greater awareness to the challenges we face as a society when it comes to combating hate and hate speech. We are ready to take on this challenge and we recognize that this is a unique moment to make a lasting impact.

To promote education within our community, Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets will each donate $500,000 toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities. The Nets and Kyrie Irving will work with ADL (the Anti-Defamation League), a nonprofit organization devoted to fighting antisemitism and all types of hate that undermine justice and fair treatment for every individual. This is an effort to develop educational programming that is inclusive and will comprehensively combat all forms of antisemitism and bigotry.

As part of the release, Kyrie Irving's words were published regarding the matter.

"I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day. I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility," Kyrie said in the statement.

"I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race, or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light."

Not so long ago, a day after defending himself, Irving verbally attacked an ESPN reporter for asking questions about the movie the guard promoted on Twitter.

No repercussions have come either from the league or the team for Irving's actions. NBA released a generic statement about fighting hate speech while NBAPA, whose vice president Irving is, released a statement addressing antisemitism without mentioning the player.

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