The Utah Jazz released a statement after multiple fans who were sitting courtside during Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks held up signs directed at Kyrie Irving that said "I'm a Jew and I'm proud."
Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune reported on the situation, noting Rabbi Avremi Zippel—who is a "prominent figure in Utah's Jewish community"—said he and three other rabbis were asked to put the signs away.
Walden shared the team's statement, which said, in part, "No matter where someone is in the arena, if a sign becomes distracting or sparks an interaction with a player, we will ask them to remove it.
"During an out-of-bounds play in the first quarter of yesterday's Jazz game against the Dallas Mavericks, there was a group sitting courtside whose signs sparked an interaction with a player that created a distraction and interfered with play of game. As the next step in standard security protocol, the fans were asked to take down their signs. … The issue was the disruptive interaction caused by usage of the signs, not the content of the signs."
Zippel discussed the situation and said that Irving, who was suspended by the Brooklyn Nets in 2022 for linking to an antisemitic film on social media and failing to initially apologize, told the fans there was "no need to bring that to a game" before approaching Mavericks security:
Avremi Zippel @UtahRabbiUpdate:<br><br>Kyrie saw the signs. At the 9:40 mark of the first quarter, he commented "no need to bring that to a game."<br><br>At the next timeout he went to Mavs security.<br><br>Jazz officials came over and CHECKED OUR TICKETS.<br><br>We were told to put the signs away.<br><br>Weak sauce from so many… <a href="">
In their 2022 statement on Irving's suspension, the Nets explained the decision was made after the guard "refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledged specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity—but failed—to clarify."
Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNetsStatement from the Brooklyn Nets <a href="">
Zippel attended the game with his brother (Rabbi Chaim Zippel), father (Rabbi Benny Zippel) and his friend (Rabbi Moshe Nigri), who also brought the signs.
He said someone with the Jazz told him they had to remove the signs because Irving complained about them. A representative for Irving denied that the Mavericks star complained about the sign.
As for the game itself, the Jazz won 127-90 behind 24 points from Simone Fontecchio. Irving finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Next up for Dallas is a visit to Portland on Wednesday.
