Nike isn't having the best run. Earlier this week, the sportswear giant faced criticism over a new video series about black pregnancy that Allyson Felix fans found to be a bit rich. Now, basketball star Kyrie Irving, a long-time Nike endorser, has publicly accused the brand of releasing a shoe collab without his permission.
In a social media comment, Irving denies involvement in design or marketing of the Kyrie 8 shoes due out later this year and notes his opinion that the sneakers are “trash.”
In an Instagram comment posted under his account @kyrieirving, Irving wrote, “I have nothing to do with the design or marketing of the upcoming #Kyrie8, IMO these are trash! I have Absolutely nothing to do with them! Nike plans to release it without my okay regardless of what I say, so I apologize in advance to all my sneaker heads and true supporters of the #KAI11 brand.”