In response to Kyrie Irving’s “media boycott,” the NBA issued a $25,000 fine for failure to comply with the league’s media requirements.
Irving and the Brooklyn Nets were fined $25,000 each for violating the NBA’s media access rules, the league announced Thursday.
“The fines result from Irving’s refusal on several occasions this week to participate in team media availability,” the NBA said in a release.
It was a clear violation of the rules by Irving, but it didn’t stop him from lashing out on Instagram, where he posted a rather bizarre statement, in which he quoted Malcolm X and called the media “pawns.”
“’I’ve had enough of someone else’s propaganda,” Irving wrote in an Instagram Story. “I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I;m for justice, no matter who it’s for or against. I’m a human being first and foremost, and as such I am for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.’
I pray that we utilize the ‘fine money’ for the marginalized communities in need, especially seeing where our world is presently. (I am) I am here for Peace, Love, and Greatness. So stop distracting me and my team, and appreciate the Art. We move differently over here. I do not talk to pawns, my attention is worth more.'”
"I do not talk to Pawns."
Kyrie Irving responds following being fined by the NBA for failure to comply with the league's media requirements. pic.twitter.com/WPgj3MPZXH
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 11, 2020
This type of behavior has become normal for Kyrie, whose war with the media seems to be intensifying by the day. To call them “pawns,” though, does seem a little over the top and very disrespectful. It is the media, after all, that helps connect the NBA to the sports world, which has helped make Kyrie a millionaire in the first place.
Nonetheless, this probably isn’t something we can expect the Nets star to just back down from any time soon. It’ll be interesting to see how it all progresses…
