“RIP to My Paycheck When..”: NBA World in Mayhem as Kyrie Irving Getting Booted Means Good News for Ja Morant
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USA Today via Reuters
Nov 30, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The apparel giant, Nike, has had a long-standing relationship with athletes, more so NBA players. The who’s who of the league has been signed by Nike. However, on Monday morning, the company decided to part ways with Kyrie Irving. It seems like the departure of Irving may have accelerated good news for Ja Morant.
Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is reported to be next in line to receive a signature shoe at Nike. Sham Charania from The Athletic said both parties have been collaborating for many months. The news comes after Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving‘s relationship with Nike ended.
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Fans have reacted to the news and expressed their views on social media. “RIP to my paycheck when these hit“, said one user. Other users agreed that they would have to pay a premium price for Morant’s compared to Kyrie’s affordable rates.
RIP to my paycheck when these hit 🥲 https://t.co/r2QoGBQPQ0
— brittneymemphis (@brittneymemphis) December 5, 2022
And, I'll bet you Ja knows how to not alienate any PART of his fan base. I love that kid. He loves ball, plays hard, scraps for and earns everything his has, expresses high ambitions, & is great with the fans. THIS is what you want in a franchise player. Good on you, @JaMorant!
— Princella D. Smith (@princellasmith) December 5, 2022
He is thanking Kyrie Irving right now.
— Alex 🔮 (@0toHerr0) December 5, 2022
Business side of it, Kyrie's game is on the downside along with his personal issues, while ja is emerging as one of the stars in the league.
— kn (@odysseus130) December 5, 2022
Gon be funny when Ja shoe is $200+ and the affordable nike basketball shoe that kyries once were are out the window
— Big Bro 🌐 (@Spreezii) December 5, 2022
Ja Morant has grown from strength to strength. He has shown phenomenal improvement and currently averages 28.5 points and 7.5 assists. He has had several top plays across his career. His energy and vitality have reflected in his marketable quotient.
For such basketball players, getting a signature shoe was probably the next obvious thing.
Why did Nike suspend Kyrie Irving?
In May 2022, it was rumored that Nike was unlikely to extend their shoe deal with Kyrie Irving owing to uncertainties within the NBA world for the player. Nike did not deny allegations that this could be his last year with the company.
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But what could have cemented their decision was likely another thing.
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Kyrie Irving’s recent controversial post on social media, wherein he shared a link to an anti-semitic film, did not bode well for him at all.
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He was suspended by both his franchise and Nike. Both parties were vocal about taking a stand against antisemitism. Nike stated, “We believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism“.
Though his shoe deal was successful, Irving doesn’t seem to be bothered by his divorce from Nike. He posted a cryptic message that said, “There’s nothing more priceless than being free“. Kyrie Irving is now a sneaker-free agent.
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