Kyrie Irving's controversial social media post condemned by Nets owner

New York, New York - NBA star Kyrie Irving is being met with severe backlash, including from owner of the Brooklyn Nets Joe Tsai, after sharing a link on social media to a movie "full of anti-Semitic disinformation."

Brooklyn Nets Coach Joe Tsai (r.) has called out the team's Kyrie Irving for promoting an anti-Semitic movie on social media.
Brooklyn Nets Coach Joe Tsai (r.) has called out the team's Kyrie Irving for promoting an anti-Semitic movie on social media.  © Collage: Patrick T. FALLON / AFP & REUTERS

On Thursday, Irving tweeted out a link to a movie on Amazon Prime called Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America. His tweet remains up as of Saturday, and he also shared the same image to his Instagram story.

The 2018 movie is based on a 2015 book of the same name, and includes troubling anti-Semitic assertions.

In a team statement, the Nets said: "The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech."

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"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."

Tsai also released his own statement that he posted on his personal Twitter account.

"I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation," he 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."

He then posted a follow-up tweet saying, "This is bigger than basketball."

Irving is yet to comment on the situation, which is sure to dominate the lead-up to the Nets' home game against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.

Cover photo: Collage: Patrick T. FALLON / AFP & REUTERS

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