Report: Ex-Net Irving named exec at amoral Chinese Shoe Giant

 

According to Rolling Stone, current Dallas Mavericks shooting guard and ex-Net Kyrie Irving has been appointed to the role of Chief Creative Officer at ANTA, a China-based apparel company with questionable business practices, to put it lightly. 

Irving signed a five-year mega deal with ANTA last year after Nike suspended its partnership with him in light of him promoting a film with anti-Semitic tropes. 

The Nets and owner Joe Tsai suspended Irving after the incident last season and refused to reinstate him until he fulfilled a checklist of tasks. The list included reaching out and apologizing to members of the Jewish community.

A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ

— Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022

ANTA has been under fire from not just the NBA, but the U.S. State Department for forced labor practices of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where they are subjected to inhumane conditions and considered to be a genocide. The atrocities in this region have been condemned by the United States and its allies and Irving's mere association and connection with ANTA's executive team is not only a public relations nightmare for the league, but brings into question Kyrie's moral compass in the eyes of many. 

Irving has long since been a proponent of social justice and being the "voice for the voiceless." But his latest business dealings by aiding a company with ties to forced labor camps overseas, will continue to see him face harsh criticism domestically and abroad in the weeks and months ahead, and deservedly