Nets owner Joe Tsai has expressed his disappointment in Kyrie Irving after the guard used his social media platforms to promote a film that has been described as anti-Semitic.
On Friday afternoon, Irving tweeted out a link to a film called “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” and Tsai responded on Friday night, via Twitter.
“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 a follow-up tweet, Tsai wrote: “This is bigger than basketball.”
The Nets also issued a statement on the situation to the New York Post, saying:
“The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech. 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.”
Irving and the Nets are scheduled to host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.