Rumors

“(The Anti-Defamation League) never set the terms for Kyrie’s return. At the end of the day, it is up to the Nets, the NBA and the union to figure out whether it’s appropriate for him to return or not,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, told The Athletic on Thursday.

The Athletic

Jonathan Greenblatt: “I can say from my point of view that I take Kyrie at his word that he is truly sorry and that he’s willing to put in the work to educate himself and engage in constructive dialogue. I also trust that the Nets, the NBA and the union are making the right call and if they’re satisfied, I have no reason not to be.” A source close to the Anti-Defamation League added that the ADL does not believe Irving is antisemitic.

The Athletic

Coach Jacque Vaughn had no update on Irving’s status for the Nets’ game Thursday at Portland or beyond that. “I think overall [he] is in constant communication with the league and Joe Tsai, and will fill me in on a need basis,” Vaughn said. “I checked in with him [Tuesday], told him shootaround was great. Ready to coach this group, and that’s where we leave it. He tells me when he has an update he will let me know.” The Anti-Defamation League sent a letter to Amazon turning up the heat to remove the film Irving shared, “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” from its platform. The e-commerce giant had promised action more than a week ago.

New York Post

Nets Daily: The Black Israelites are at various subway entrances to Barclays preaching, defending Kyrie and Kanye, attacking ADL, condemning “Jewish Slave Trade.” Etc

Twitter

Nick Cannon is comparing Kyrie Irving's suspension conditions to the savage practice of buck-breaking done in slavery. On Tuesday (Nov. 8), the 2 Hate or Not 2 Hate Podcast, which appears to be cohosted by Cannon and Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, shared a snippet of the debut episode on Instagram. In the clip, the duo discuss Kyrie Irving being issued a five-game suspension for sharing an anti-Semitic documentary on social media. Nick, who has faced his own anti-Semitic issues in the past, defended the Brooklyn Nets point-guard.

XXL Mag

Shams Charania: Sources: Nets have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to team: - Apologize/condemn movie - $500K donation to anti-hate causes - Sensitivity training - Antisemitic training - Meet with ADL, Jewish leaders - Meet with Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding

Twitter

Against the backdrop of calls for swift action, sources said Tsai had resisted and insisted on taking time to educate Irving on the horrors of antisemitism. He'd enlisted the counsel of the Anti-Defamation League, watched the full three and a half hours of the hate-filled movie Irving had shared, "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America" -- complete with its Holocaust denialism and quoting of antisemites such as Adolf Hitler and Henry Ford - and researched the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, whose beliefs Irving frequently references in public settings.

ESPN

The failed negotiations of the summer had spilled into a far more dramatic and destructive matter this time. The franchise's communication with Irving had been channeled completely through his agent and stepmother, Shetellia Riley-Irving, sources said. Tsai had wanted time and space to work together with the ADL and Irving, but there was no direct dialogue with Irving himself, sources said. Silver had cautioned Tsai that issuing a joint statement with the ADL without dealing with Irving directly - nor including a condemnation of the movie's material, or a full apology -- simply didn't reach an acceptable threshold, sources said.

ESPN

For Tsai, that was it. No more. Irving's refusal to disavow antisemitism and Holocaust denial had convinced him Irving had been insincere in his joint ADL statement hours earlier, sources said. The efforts to educate had failed miserably, his faith in Irving proving once more to have been misguided and ultimately disastrous for his franchise.

ESPN

Ian Begley: ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt says Kyrie Irving's apology from last night is "an encouraging step." Greenblatt says in a statement that the ADL is still not going to accept funds from Irving, they are open to direct dialogue with him. Full statement below: “This is an encouraging step from Kyrie. But actions speak louder than words. Because of his post and previous refusals to walk it back, the antisemitic film/book is now a best seller in multiple categories on Amazon. There is a lot more to do undue this damage. Although we will not accept any funds from him, if Kyrie is open to direct dialogue to repair the harm that he has caused and to engage in a process of healing and learning in a sincere manner, ADL is open to engaging with him. Time and action will tell.”

Twitter

"Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material," Adam Silver said in a statement. "While we appreciate the fact that he agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize. I will be meeting with Kyrie in person in the next week to discuss this situation."

ESPN

Tim Bontemps: The Nets, Kyrie Irving and the Anti-Defamation League have put out a joint statement saying, in part, that Kyrie Irving and the Nets will each donate $500,000 “toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities.” pic.twitter.com/AZJEyXQpH1

Twitter

Stefan Bondy: At least in discussions thus far, the Anti-Defamation League hasn't spoken directly to Kyrie Irving, who had his father, Drederick, and stepmother/agent, Shetellia, instead meet with the ADL, according to league sources.

Twitter

In statement from ADL spokesperson, the organization said it hopes “to have an opportunity to soon” speak with Irving. “We were pleased that he deleted the problematic post but we believe it is crucial that Kyrie speak out clearly and quickly to condemn antisemitism.” The statement adds appreciation for Joe Tsai, Sam Zussman, Sean Marks and the Nets for working with the ADL.

Twitter