Kyrie Irving Brushes Off ESPN Interview During ANTA Livestream at All-Star Weekend

The brief exchange highlighted his long-running friction with the network’s coverage, including past run-ins with Stephen A. Smith.

Overview

Kyrie Irving said, “I don’t really care for ESPN,” when told the network planned a walk-and-talk interview during an ANTA AntaLand event in Santa Monica.
ANTA’s livestream captured the remark, and clips of the moment circulated widely on social media shortly after.
Coverage notes years of tension between Irving and ESPN, with repeated public back-and-forths involving Stephen A. Smith over coverage and commentary.
One outlet reported Irving indicated he would still do the interview despite his comment, leaving the immediate outcome unclear.
Background context includes Irving’s 2022 promotion of a film with antisemitic content that led to a Nets suspension and Nike split, as well as a combative exchange with ESPN reporter Nick Friedell.