Kyrie Irving Refuses ESPN Interview With Blunt On-Air Remark

The Mavs guard continues his feud with the sports network.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks guard, refused to do an interview with ESPN during a promotional event with ANTA, bluntly stating, "I don't really care for ESPN." Despite initially being told he would be interviewed by the network, Irving shrugged off the request and only relented after further prodding. This is the latest incident in Irving's longstanding feud with the sports media outlet.

Why it matters

Kyrie Irving's contentious relationship with ESPN has been an ongoing storyline throughout his NBA career. This latest refusal to engage with the network during a promotional event highlights the continued tension and Irving's unwillingness to cooperate with the sports media giant, which could have implications for how he is covered and perceived going forward.

The details

During the ANTA promotional event, an unidentified man told Irving that "ESPN's gonna walk with you and ask you the questions." Irving simply laughed and said, "I don't really care for ESPN." He eventually agreed to do the interview, but his initial reaction showed his disdain for the network. Irving has had a history of feuding with ESPN, dating back to his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

  • Kyrie Irving is currently sitting out the 2022-23 NBA season due to an ACL tear.

The players

Kyrie Irving

A guard for the Dallas Mavericks who has had a contentious relationship with ESPN throughout his NBA career.

ANTA

A Chinese sportswear company that Irving has a promotional deal with.

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What they’re saying

“ESPN's gonna walk with you and ask you the questions”

— Unidentified man

“I don't really care for ESPN”

— Kyrie Irving

“My rehab is going well. Whenever I'm a hundred and fifty percent healthy, I'll be back. I want to be better than where I was. So that's saying a lot. It's a big hill to climb, but it's worth it”

— Kyrie Irving

What’s next

It's unclear whether Kyrie Irving ultimately went through with the ESPN interview during the ANTA promotional event. However, his initial refusal and blunt remarks towards the network suggest the feud between the two parties is ongoing.

The takeaway

Kyrie Irving's continued unwillingness to engage with ESPN highlights the fractured relationship between the star player and the sports media outlet. This latest incident could further strain their dynamic and impact how Irving is covered by the network going forward.