Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant signed a deal with sports apparel and footwear giant Nike in 2019.
Nike has decided to go ahead with plans to release Morant’s latest sneaker, even though the Star Point Guard was recently suspended from all team activity. The Grizzlies were suspended after a social media video showing Morant holding a gun was leaked earlier this month.
The Ja 1 “Hunger” sneaker went on sale Thursday. The shoes sold out in about 20 minutes, according to The Wall Street Journal. At this point, Nike doesn’t seem interested in ending her relationship with Morant.
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Los Angeles, California, USA. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, 12, reacted during the first half of Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. (Gary A. Vazquez-USA TODAY Sports)
Fox News Digital reached out to Nike for more information, but did not receive an immediate response.
A handful of retailers, including Finish Line and Hibet Sports, recently decided to remove the shoe from their respective online release calendars.
Lawmakers launch benefits survey of Grizzlies’ JA Morant after cryptic social media posts
Morant and Nike’s first signature shoe was unveiled in December. The sneaker hit retail stores earlier this year.
Memphis Grizzlies No. 12 Jay Morant debuts Nike’s signature shoe, the Ja 1 “Day One,” at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on December 25, 2022. (Photo credit: Jed Jacobthorn/NBAE via Getty Images)
Shortly after being suspended, Morant released a statement apologizing for his actions.
“My words may not mean much right now, but I take full responsibility for my actions. I am dedicated to continuing to improve myself,” he said.
No. 12 Memphis Grizzlies jersey Ja Morant signs autographs for fans after a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee on Jan. 11, 2023. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
In March, Morant fired a handgun inside a Denver-area nightclub during an Instagram live video stream. The NBA then suspended him for eight games.
After the initial suspension, Nike said it appreciates the fact that Morant has held accountable. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he was “shocked” by the latest video.
“Honestly, I was shocked to see that video this weekend,” Silver said earlier this month. “We are currently investigating and will try to figure out what happened as accurately as possible.
Aside from nightclub videos and the latest gun-wielding video, Morant has been linked to multiple incidents throughout the season.
Last summer, a member of a security team at a Memphis shopping mall told police that he was “blackmailed” by Morant during an argument in the parking lot, according to records obtained by The Washington Post. No arrests were made.
In another incident, Morant was accused of repeatedly hitting a 17-year-old boy in the head during a pick-up game at Morant’s home in Tennessee.
According to a police interview obtained by The Washington Post, the boy also told investigators that Morant entered the house and came out with a gun. in April, Morant filed a counterclaim The boy was charged with slander, assault and assault.
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Elsewhere, Nike ended its relationship with Kyrie Irving following a controversial social media post referencing an anti-Semitic film. As a result, sales of the Kyrie 8 shoes have been temporarily put on hold. Irving later apologized.
