Nets set conditions for Kyrie Irving to return to team
Saturday night marks the second game of Kyrie Irving‘s suspension, and Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports has learned of the requirements established by the Nets that Irving must meet before he can play again.
Sources tell Goodwill that Irving must go before reporters and provide a verbal apology for sharing a link to an anti-Semitic film. On Thursday, Irving posted a statement on his Instagram account expressing regret for his actions, but management wants him to apologize in person for promoting the film and to indicate that he understands its message is “harmful and untrue.” Irving must share the apology on social media.
Goodwill’s sources say Irving will also be required to complete whatever sensitivity training the team decides is necessary and to meet with Jewish leaders in the Brooklyn area.
Once those requirements are achieved, Irving will have to sit down with owner Joe Tsai and provide a guarantee that he won’t exhibit any more disruptive behavior for the rest of the season, Goodwill adds. This is the final season of Irving’s four-year contract, and he will be a free agent next summer.
An NBA spokesperson told Goodwill that the league wasn’t aware of all the Nets are asking Irving to do before he can be reinstated. The players union declined to comment, Goodwill adds.
Irving will also be required to participate in anti-Semitic sensitivity classes and to donate $500K to causes that stand up against hate, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.