After calling his namesake sneakers “trash” — and later, taking that statement back — Kyrie Irving is putting his name on another Nike model. The Brooklyn Nets point guard is getting his own Dunk Low, making it one of the first non-athletic shoes he’s put his name on.
Irving, who is unvaccinated, previously made headlines at Nike (and elsewhere) when the brand fired employees who failed to receive their vaccine by a predetermined date. While the basketball player is not a Nike employee per say, it’s hard to argue his ties to the company aren’t profitable for everyone involved: Nike currently pays Irving roughly $11 million a year for on-court representation and signature sneaker sales, presumably including the upcoming Dunk. The brand has still not addressed Kyrie’s vaccination status and will likely remain quiet on the issue.
