Kyrie Irving Responds to ‘Antisemitic’ Label After Brooklyn Nets Owner Joe Tsai Expresses Disappointment

Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai is “disappointed” after all-star guard Kyrie Irving appeared to promote a film and book considered to be antisemitic.

On Thursday, Kyrie sparked backlash after posting a link on social media for the documentary Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.

As pointed out by Rolling Stone, the 2018 film, which is based on a 2015 book of the same name written by the film’s director, Ronald Dalton, Jr., focuses on numerous antisemitic tropes, including claims that “many famous high-ranking Jews have admitted to worship[ing] Satan or Lucifer.”

Tsai hopped on Twitter Friday night to condemn Kyrie’s actions.

“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-Semitic disinformation,” Tsai said. “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.

In another tweet, the Nets owner wrote, “This is bigger than basketball.”

Following Tsai’s remarks, the Nets addressed Kyrie’s actions in an official statement.

“The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech,” the team said 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.”

Kyrie shared more thoughts on Saturday, writing, “I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The ‘Anti-Semitic’ label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.”