DALLAS — Mavericks All-Star Kyrie Irving is “in no rush” to make a decision about his looming NBA future, but he’s almost ready to end another free-agent venture.
During an Instagram Live stream Wednesday, Irving revealed he will announce a new shoe deal “very, very soon.”
”I won’t even call it a shoe deal,” Irving said. “Like, I’m about to blow this stuff out of the water, and I’m so excited about it.”
Irving has been a sneaker free agent since November, when Nike terminated its partnership with Irving because the 31-year-old superstar shared a link to an antisemitic film on social media, refused to apologize in subsequent news conferences and served an eight-game suspension from the Brooklyn Nets.
After first signing with Nike as a rookie in 2011, Irving became the 20th NBA player to launch a signature shoe with the brand. The “Kyrie 8″ style was on track to release last year, but Irving’s controversy prompted Nike to end the endorsement agreement 11 months before the Oct. 1. 2023 expiration, according to ESPN.
In games since, Irving has worn pairs of his signature Nikes with statements about racial and social injustice written on tape covering the logos.
He also wore Ethics, a shoe brand founded by former NBA player Langston Galloway, during some Mavericks workouts.
Irving on Wednesday called for fans and members of the media to stop speculating about whether he’ll re-sign with the Mavericks or leave for the Los Angeles Lakers or another competitor — but he ended his shoe update by acknowledging the lingering uncertainty.
“Be on the lookout for obviously my free agency decision,” Irving said, “coming next however long.”
