- Kyrie Irving and Nike ended their relationship after Irving shared a film with anti-Semitic material on social media.
- Irving covered the Nike logo on his shoes during a game, writing "I am free, thank you God… I am" on the sneakers.
- Irving's shoes were among Nike's most popular.
Just two days after being dropped by Nike, Kyrie Irving took the floor in re-designed shoes.
During the Brooklyn Nets' win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, Irving wore his Nike shoes, but covered the company's logo with black tape.
On the outside of one shoe, he wrote, "I am free" and "Thank you God… I am." On the side of the other shoe, he wrote: "Logo here."
The Athletic's Shams Charania first reported on December 5 that Nike had dropped its endorsement deal with Irving. The company had suspended its relationship with the Nets point guard after he had shared a film with anti-Semitic material to social media. After several contentious media sessions in which Irving defended his actions, the Nets suspended Irving for failing to "disavow" anti-Semitism. His suspension lasted eight games after Irving reportedly followed several steps to return to the court, including meeting with Jewish leaders.
Irving responded to Charania's tweet with a gif of a man saying, "Let the party begin."
—Hélà (@KyrieIrving) December 5, 2022
Irving also tweeted that he was thankful for "anyone who has even spent their hard earned money on anything I have ever released."
ESPN reported that Irving's agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, said the decision was mutual.
Irving's signature Nike shoes were among the brand's most popular.
Weeks before officially dropping Irving, Nike co-founder Phil Knight said on CNBC that the relationship was likely over, saying Irving crossed a line when he shared the film with anti-Semitic material.
"Kyrie stepped over the line, it's kind of that simple," Knight said. "He just made some statements we can't abide by, and that's why we ended the relationship. And yeah, I was fine with that."
