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As Kyrie Irving's status with the Brooklyn Nets remains uncertain, his partnership with Nike could be coming to an end.
During an appearance on CNBC that aired Thursday (h/t the Associated Press), Nike co-founder Phil Knight said it's unlikely the company will keep its working relationship with Irving.
"I would doubt that we go back," Knight explained. "But I don't know for sure."
Nike announced last week it suspended its relationship with Irving and canceled the scheduled release of his new signature shoe that was scheduled to launch on Nov. 11.
The decision comes amid the fallout from Irving's promotion of a movie containing antisemitic ideas.
Despite being given multiple opportunities, Irving refused to apologize in the immediate aftermath. Speaking to reporters Nov. 3, Irving refused to say sorry or say definitively he didn't have antisemitic beliefs.
After Irving's press conference, the Nets announced they were suspending the seven-time All-Star for at least five games and that he won't be reinstated until he "satisfies a series of objective remedial measures" to address the negative impact caused by his conduct.
Following the suspension announcement, Irving issued an apology on Instagram:
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported a list of six things the Nets are requiring Irving to complete before considering reinstating him:
Charania reported Irving and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver met in person Tuesday.
Per ESPN's Nick Friedell, Irving's contact with Nike was set to expire Oct. 1, 2023. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported in May the sports apparel giant was "unlikely" to renew its deal with the Nets guard.
Irving signed with Nike in 2011, the same year he was the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. His first signature shoe was released in 2014.
Nike announced Wednesday that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has signed an endorsement contract with its Jordan Brand.
"To me, it's surreal and truly special to hear I'm joining the family," Samuel said. "As a kid, all I wanted were J's. Being a part of the Jordan Brand is something I've always wanted, and for it to be a reality is special to me. It's a dream come true to be a Jordan Brand athlete and help carry this legacy forward to the next generation on and off the field."
Samuel becomes the seventh NFL receiver to join Jumpman alongside Davante Adams, Chase Claypool, Stefon Diggs, Jarvis Landry, Sterling Shepard and Michael Thomas.
"I'm looking forward to inspiring the young football players and young kids out there who want to create greatness in their own way," the 2021 Pro Bowler said.
Nike said he was selected as someone who could uphold the Jordan Brand's "standard of excellence."
Samuel showcased game-changing versatility last season, tallying 1,770 yards from scrimmage (1,405 receiving and 365 rushing) and 14 total touchdowns across 16 appearances to earn a First-Team All-Pro selection.
The Niners rewarded his success with a three-year, $71.6 million contract extension in July.
"We are overjoyed to have come together with Deebo to keep him with the 49ers for years to come," general manager John Lynch said. "Deebo has the rare ability to not only play at a unique level but to inspire his teammates with the way he plays. He is a special player that embodies 'will meeting skill.' We're proud to move forward with him as an integral leader and foundational piece of our team."
Between the new contract and his endorsement deal with the Jordan Brand, it's been a successful couple of months for the 26-year-old South Carolina native.
Samuel, who's recorded 242 total yards in three games so far this season, and the Niners are back in action Monday night when they host the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium for a key NFC West clash.
Nike is reportedly "unlikely to extend" its signature shoe contract with Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving following the 2022-23 NBA season.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported Nike is planning to release the final edition of its Kyrie edition shoes this fall but noted the future of the partnership, which began in 2014, is expected to "dramatically" change.
Irving caused a stir in July when he described the latest release of his signature shoe as "trash" and said he was no longer involved in the creative process:
He later issued a statement saying it was "unfair" to place the blame on Nike and work was being done "to make sure we get it right."
Wojnarowski and Shelburne reported that wasn't the only issue that led to Nike's decision, but it was a factor. The company wouldn't comment on its plans.
"We don't comment on contracts or rumors or speculation. Kyrie remains a Nike athlete," a spokesperson told ESPN.
Irving was limited to 29 appearances during the 2021-22 season because of his unvaccinated status. The Nets originally kept him sidelined until he was eligible to become a full-time player, but that changed in January as the team struggled with injuries and COVID-19 absences.
Upon his return, he was restricted to playing in road games because of New York City's vaccine mandate for large events, which was lifted in March.
That allowed Irving to become a full-time contributor in time for the playoffs, but the Nets were still swept in the first round by the Boston Celtics.
The seven-time All-Star holds a $36.9 million player option in his contract for next season. He would become a free agent if he declines it, but he's stated his desire to remain with Kevin Durant and Co.
If Irving simply plays out his option year, he could be looking at two key negotiations next year: his playing contract and his shoe deal.
Nike has reportedly told some employees it plans to fire them Saturday if they have not met the company's COVID-19 vaccination mandate, according to Mike Rogoway of the Oregonian.
The company has had a vaccine mandate since October and has given employees until Jan. 15 to either get a vaccine or receive a medical or religious exemption. Nike sent emails to employees who did not meet those standards last week (via Brandon Richard of Complex):
You failed to complete the verification process and our records show that you do not have an approved (exemption). As a result, you are not in compliance with the Policy and your employment is scheduled to be terminated on Saturday, January 15, 2022.
The situation might have changed after Thursday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which blocked vaccine and testing mandates for big businesses, per Ariane de Vogue of CNN.
Nike employed approximately 73,000 people worldwide in 2021, per Statista. According to Rogoway, about 120 employees have objected to the company's mandate through online communications.
Columbia Sportswear is expected to take a similar stance with its employees beginning Feb. 1. Nice Kicks reported VF Corp—the parent company of Vans and Supreme, among other apparel brands—will do the same.
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving walked back comments he made about his upcoming Kyrie 8 signature sneaker and indicated the shoe is back in the design phase.
"When you're building something great, there sometimes comes a point when you need to recalibrate and refocus to ensure everyone involved is aligned," the seven-time All-Star said Tuesday. "This is where the KAI11 brand and Nike are. It was unfair to put the blame on Nike or any one person."
Responding to an Instagram post by user @k11kicks that purportedly showed photos of the Kyrie 8s, Irving didn't hold back, saying he had "nothing to do with the design or marketing" and that the sneakers were "trash."
The 29-year-old has been with Nike since July 2011, with his first signature sneaker rolling out in 2014. According to Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen, he earns $11 million annually from the endorsement deal.
Beyond him just calling out Nike publicly, Irving's comments were surprisingly because he appeared to have had a big hand in designing one of his signature shoes in the recent past.
The Undefeated's Aaron Dodson interviewed Irving and designer Ben Nethongkome about the Kyrie 6 in November 2019. He wrote how the new line "represents an authentic transition from athlete to artist" for Irving and that the star point guard "became more hands-on than he’d ever been with any of his previous five models."
One would've expected Irving to have similar input on the Kyrie 8s, which seemingly wasn't the case.
Regardless, the matter is now resolved, and the saga may have gotten fans even more interested in seeing what Nike will deliver.
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving publicly distanced himself from the upcoming line of his Nike signature sneakers.
The Instagram account @k11kicks shared photos of what were purportedly a pair of Kyrie 8s. Irving responded to say he had "nothing to do with the design or marketing of the upcoming #Kyrie8, IMO these are trash!"
The seven-time All-Star added that Nike will follow through with the Kyrie 8 line with or without his approval.
Irving signed with Nike in July 2011, shortly after the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him No. 1 overall. He received his first signature kicks in December 2014.
In recent years, the 29-year-old has had significant input on the shoes that bear his name.
The Undefeated's Aaron Dodson in November 2019 spoke with designer Ben Nethongkome, who said he and the star point guard "sat down and invested hours" into identifying the look for what would become the Kyrie 6. Irving also told Dodson he had "had a huge, huge hand in a lot of designing processes before."
Former California lawyer Michael Avenatti has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for attempting to extort up to $25 million from Nike.
Per Jim Mustian and Larry Neumeister of the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe announced Avenatti's punishment at a sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
Avenatti was found guilty on three counts of transmission of interstate communications with intent to extort, attempted extortion and honest services wire fraud in February 2020.
He was originally indicted and charged in March 2019, shortly after posting a tweet threatening to "disclose a major high school/college basketball scandal perpetrated by @Nike that we have uncovered."
Avenatti's tweet also stated, "This criminal conduct reaches the highest levels of Nike and involves some of the biggest names in college basketball."
Avenatti had told Nike he would go public with his claims if it didn't pay a youth basketball coach he represented $1.5 million and himself and another attorney $12 million, plus guarantee $15 to $25 million in payments for an internal investigation.
According to Mustian and Neumeister, Nike's lawyers said in a victim impact statement that Avenatti "did considerable harm to the company" by trying to connect it to the pay-for-play corruption scandal involving Adidas-sponsored basketball programs.
During the sentencing hearing, Gardephe told Avenatti that he "hijacked his client's claims, and he used those claims to further his own agenda, which was to extort millions of dollars from Nike for himself.''
One month away from the release of Space Jam: A New Legacy, Nike has unveiled an all-new apparel line with merchandise featured in the movie.
The Space Jam: A New Legacy collection is highlighted by the LeBron 19 sneakers with a design that encapsulates the world the movie is set in.
“In designing the LeBron 19, we were definitely guided by what was happening in the film,” said Jason Petrie, Nike Basketball footwear designer. “We wanted to give LeBron a brand-new feeling that was synonymous with an otherworldly, space-age kind of look.”
Maverick Carter, who is LeBron James' business partner and a producer on the movie, explained the unique relationship between Nike and Space Jam: A New Legacy:
“The biggest moment in the movie for our characters is the final game. It culminates into this epic showdown with real consequences for everyone playing. The game matters. So when a kid sees the characters wearing Nike gear, their imagination makes the connection that Nike gives you the tools to uncover the best version of yourself.”
In addition to the LeBron 19 shoe, the movie will also include three different styles of the LeBron 18 that highlights classic Looney Tunes rivalries.
Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase Space Jam-inspired clothing. There will be a collection of Goon Squad and Tune Squad jerseys, shorts, hoodies, jackets and backpacks.
The Nike collection of Space Jam: A New Legacy will be made available to the public starting in July.
The movie will be released in theaters and on HBO Max on July 16.
Leaked images of a Nike shoe honoring Gigi Bryant weren't approved by Vanessa Bryant, who said she designed the shoe but decided against selling the shoes.
After an Instagram user posted an image of the shoes and claimed they will be released this summer, Vanessa Bryant issued a statement on the social-media platform saying they "are NOT approved for sale" and she hopes they don't get sold by Nike:
"I do not know how someone else has their hands on shoes I designed in honor of my daughter, Gigi, and we don't. I hope these shoes did not get sold. ... If someone can share how they have these shoes in their possession, that would be great because my daughters and I don’t have any of Gigi’s MAMBACITA shoes."
Bryant noted she worked on the design of the Mambacita shoe, including selecting the colors, inside pattern and a No. 2 in honor of Gigi's basketball jersey.
However, when Vanessa and the Bryant estate elected not to renew their contract with Nike in April, she also decided not to sell the sneakers and they "were not approved to be made in the first place."
Per ESPN's Nick DePaula, Vanessa and the Bryant estate didn't re-sign with Nike because of frustration with the apparel company "limiting the availability of Kobe products during his retirement and after his January 2020 death in a helicopter crash."
DePaula added the estate was also frustrated with the lack of kids' sizes for Kobe's signature sneakers.
Kobe Bryant originally signed a contract with Nike in 2003 after spending the first six seasons of his NBA career with Adidas. The Los Angeles Lakers legend signed a five-year extension with Nike in 2016 shortly after the announcement of his retirement.
Kobe and Gigi Bryant were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Jan. 26, 2020.
