Phil Knight: Nike Most Likely Done With Kyrie
Nike has broken up with Kyrie Irving and they have no plans to ever forgive him. It’s now been a week since Nike suspended their relationship with Kyrie but we haven’t heard much since. Don’t worry, Nike founder Phil Knight is here. If you had any hope for another Kyrie signature shoe, don’t get your hopes up.
Knight made it clear that Kyrie crossed the line and claims that Nike is most likely done doing business with the Nets point guard.
Interview via CNBC’s Becky Quick:
“Kyrie stepped over the line. It’s kind of that simple,” Knight said. “He made some statements that we just can’t abide by and that’s why we ended the relationship. And I was fine with that.”
“I would doubt that we go back,” Knight said. “But I don’t know for sure.”
Irving, 30, originally signed a deal with Nike in 2011. His signature shoe got launched three years later. It’s unclear if Nike will pursue another athlete to take his place but it appears that any new Kyrie shoe is dead. We’re never getting another one.
It’s hard to blame Knight’s stance here. Kyrie is a circus and he really tries his best to bring the drama with him. Given all the stuff going on with Kyrie being suspended by the team, it was only a matter of time before Nike put their foot down. In reality, all Kyrie had to do was apologize and he refused to do so. We don’t have to get into it further than that. It’s just not a shock that Nike is calling it quits here.
I’m not a big sneaker head but if you have any Kyrie’s sitting on the shelf, maybe try to sell those puppies?
