After NBA Fines Kyrie Irving For Not Speaking To Reporters, He Declares ‘I Do Not Talk To Pawns’

Topline

One day after superstar Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets organization were each fined $25,000 by the National Basketball Association for failing to participate in the team’s media availability, Irving took to social media on Friday to vent his frustration, saying he hopes the fine money is used to help “marginalized communities in need” and referring to members of the media as “pawns.”

Key Facts

Key Background:

The NBA announced Thursday that Irving’s fine resulted from his “refusal on several occasions this week” to speak with assembled media members virtually via Zoom, as each of his teammates and coaches had done. As part of each NBA player’s contract, they are required to be made available to journalists before or after games and practices. Last Friday, Irving issued a written statement instead of speaking with the media directly “to ensure that my message is conveyed properly,” adding, “my goal this season is to let my work on and off the court speak for itself.” Irving’s publicist, Ashley Blackwood, later clarified that he still planned to participate in traditional media meetings throughout the season. Irving, who signed a $141 million contract with the Nets last summer, will earn more than $33 million in each of the next three seasons. He has missed at least 15 games due to injury in each of the past three seasons. 

Critical Quote:

“The same person that used his media power to tell everyone the world is flat after taking a speed course at YouTube University is insulting media members that show up and do their job and help keep interest in the league that has provided a great life for him,” tweeted NBA player agent Nate Jones. 

Tangent:

In July, Irving produced a one-hour special entitled “#SAYHERNAME: BREONNA TAYLOR,” which examined police brutality, specifically as it relates to Black women. The program provided viewers with actionable measures to demand justice for Taylor (who was unarmed when she was killed in her home after being shot at least eight times by Louisville Metro police officers in March), such as calls to the offices of city and state officials and voter registration information. Ultimately, none of the officers involved in the shooting were charged in Taylor’s death. 

Big Number:

$1.5 million: Prior to the start of the 2020 WNBA season, Irving committed $1.5 million to supplement the income of players who choose not to participate in the 2020 season, whether due to coronavirus concerns or social justice issues. (He also donated $323,000 to Feeding America in March and partnered with City Harvest to distribute 250,000 meals across the New York area.) 

Further Reading:

Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets each fined $25,000 over guard’s refusal to talk (ESPN)

Kyrie Irving To Produce TV Program Calling For Justice In Breonna Taylor Case (Forbes)

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