Kyrie Irving covered the Nike logo on his shoes, writing 'I am free,' 2 days after the shoe company dropped him (2024)

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Kyrie Irving covered the Nike logo on his shoes, writing 'I am free,' 2 days after the shoe company dropped him? ›

Kyrie Irving and Nike ended their relationship after Irving shared a film with anti-Semitic material on social media. Irving covered the Nike logo on his shoes during a game, writing "I am free, thank you God... I am" on the sneakers. Irving's shoes were among Nike's most popular.

' It has become something of a ritual for the former Brooklyn Nets playmaker since Nike ended his $11m a year partnership. Irving signed with Nike in 2011 and had a signature line of shoes from 2014. After owning one of the most popular signature shoes in the NBA, he is now a sneaker free agent.

The sportswear giant suspended its partnership with the N.B.A. star last month, after he posted a link to an antisemitic film on social media.

A detailed look at Kyrie Irving's signature ANTA logo. The logo is not that different from Irving's signature Nike logo, which he used with the American brand for almost a decade. We can see a "K" and the number "11," which is the jersey number Irving is switching back to in the 2023-24 NBA season.

The Swoosh is more than just a checkmark. It represents the wing of the Greek goddess Nike, symbolizing speed, movement, power, and motivation. Davidson's design captured the spirit of athleticism and excellence that Nike aspired to represent.

Irving's agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, called the decision mutual. "We have mutually decided to part ways and wish Nike the best in their future endeavors," she told CNBC on Monday. Irving's signature endorsem*nt agreement with the company was set to expire on Oct. 1, 2023.

This time, Irving wrote "Afrakan Liberation" and "Free My People" on the right side of the lateral shoe. On the lateral side of the left shoe, the message read, "Native Freedom" and "I am that I am."

The first of his signature shoes launched in 2014, and he has made an estimated $11 million per year from Nike. He's now poised to lose tens of millions he would have made if the contract had been extended. Irving was suspended from the Brooklyn Nets for eight games on Nov. 3.

In addition to losing out on prestigious league awards that come with contract incentives, there was concern that Morant would lose his signature sneaker line with Nike. However, the American sportswear company will stand by its first-ever Gen-Z signature athlete.

11 goes even deeper than his father's college jersey. He was born at 1:11, there are 11 letters in "Kyrie Irving," the letter "K" is the 11th letter in the alphabet, he played 11 games at Duke before being selected first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft and he scored his 11,000th NBA point on March 11.

What is Kobe Bryant's logo? ›

Kobe has a geometric logo design that has been around since the beginning of his partnership with Nike in 2003. The abstract illustration is composed of six shapes that form an image of a sword sheath. Kobe explained in an interview that his talent is the sword and his life experiences stand as the sheath.

In addition to being an NBA free agent, Kyrie Irving is also a sneaker free agent. The perennial All-Star lost his signature line with Nike following his controversial rhetoric considered antisemitic, resulting in an eight-game suspension last November. Following the breakup, Irving continued to wear Nike sneakers.

4 The co-founder of Nike, Phil Knight, and his son Travis Knight, along with the holding companies and trusts they control, own more than 97% of outstanding Class A shares. 5 This allows the Knight family to exercise effective control of Nike even though it is a publicly traded business.

The company was founded on January 25, 1964, as "Blue Ribbon Sports", by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, and officially became Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1971.

John Donahoe, President & CEO - NIKE, Inc.

Nike trademarks the names, logos, and phrases that it uses to identify its products and to distinguish them from the competition. These trademarks protect Nike's brand and help consumers find authentic Nike products. Some of Nike's famous trademarks include: The company name (NIKE)

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is no longer under contract with Nike after the two sides have parted ways, a spokesperson told Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Following Irving's controversial remarks that resulted in a suspension last November, Nike decided to cut ties with their signature athlete. After the breakup, Irving continued to wear Nike sneakers but covered the branding with tape and hand-written messages.

Now he's found a new commercial deal with Anta, that requires a new logo since Nike owns the trademark to the previous design.