Beleaguered NBA superstar Ja Morant’s shoe deal with Nike will likely remain intact, despite the league’s decision to suspend him for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season.
In a statement obtained by ESPN, the sportswear and footwear conglomerate said it will «continue to support» the 23-year-old Morant.
«We are pleased that Ja is taking responsibility and prioritizing his well-being. We will continue to support him on and off the court,» ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne wrote in a tweet Friday.
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant reacts during the first half of Game 4 of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on April 24, 2023. (Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports)
Morant’s latest suspension stems from a video on social media that was posted on May 13. In the video, Morant appears briefly brandishing a gun.
NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER WAS ‘INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED’ AFTER SECOND JA MORANT GUN INCIDENT
The terms of the suspension stipulate that the two-time NBA All-Star «must meet certain conditions before playing again and will be ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games, during the course of his suspension.
Morant issued a statement Friday, apologizing for his actions.
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball up court during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the FedEx Forum on December 31, 2022 in Memphis. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
«I have had time to reflect and realize the damage I have caused,» Morant said in a statement released Friday. «I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera, who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me, I’m sorry for the damage What have I done.
«To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry I failed you as a role model. I promise I will be better. To all my sponsors, I will be a better representation of our brands.» And to all my fans, I’ll make it up to you, I promise.
«I’m going through the offseason and my suspension will continue to work on my own mental health and decision-making. I’m also going to train to be ready when I can get back on the court. I know that my teammates are going to hold it down, and I’m so sorry. not being able to be with you at the start of the season. I hope you’ll give me a chance to show you over time that I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.»
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 28, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Morant was previously suspended for eight games for «conduct detrimental to the league» after he was seen on Instagram Live video holding a gun inside a Denver-area nightclub.
“We appreciate Ja’s responsibility and that she is taking the time to get the help she needs. We support your prioritization of his well-being,” Nike said in a statement following the incident in March.
Shortly after Morant’s second gun-related video, Nike removed Morant’s «Hunger» sneakers from its website. The company later put the shoes up for sale.
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Morant signed a five-year contract with Nike in 2019. Within weeks of signing the contract, Morant was the second overall pick in the draft.
Nike’s initial release of the «Ja 1 Hunger» shoe sold out minutes after it became available on May 25.