Less than a week following his NBA suspension for his second gun-flashing incident on video, Ja Morant’s Hunger Ja 1 sneakers have been taken off the Nike or Finish Line apps as of today(May 18). The sneakers have been out for less than a month, but are now no longer available for sale on those apps.
Morant’s t-shirts are still available and the Ja 1 “Hunger colorway is still listed as “upcoming” on the Nike website.
Morant was suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies indefinitely this past week for flashing a gun on Instagram Live for the second time in two months. He was suspended for eight games for flashing a gun in the same manner on IG at a strip club in Colorado.
Ja Morant has been in the news for all of the wrong reasons as of late. Overall, if you are an NBA fan, you know exactly what went down. After being told to quit flashing guns on Instagram, he did it again. Firstly, Morant was suspended eight games the first time he did it. However, he is now expected to be suspended for much longer. Fans are not happy at all with his behavior, with some even labeling him as a “moron.” Either way, this has been a horrible run for Ja Morant, whose Grizzlies were eliminated in the first round.
With a potential NBA suspension on the horizon, others have been interested in how this may affect his sponsorships. Of course, Morant is signed to Nike, and the brand is incredibly protective of its image. For instance, Kyrie Irving was let go by Nike after he shared an anti-Semitic film on Twitter. In regard to Nike, some have actually been critical of their support for Ja, and their lack of support for Irving. Subsequently, it now seems like Nike has taken this criticism into consideration.
Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before play against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
According to TMZ, Nike has taken all of Ja Morant’s sneakers off of their website. There is a new Nike Ja 1 set to drop on May 25th, but for now, it remains on the website. However, if you want the other colorways, you are completely out of luck. Overall, this is a horrible development for Ja Morant. Although, it does not mean his partnership with the brand is over. It could simply mean that it is on pause until things get figured out.
At the end of the day, companies like the NBA and Nike have an image to protect. If they feel like an athlete is compromising that, they will cut ties. That said, more concrete updates on Ja’s standing will be coming soon. Let us know what you think of this latest update, in the comments section down below.
There has been a wide variety of reactions to the latest incident involving Ja Morant. Morant was suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies over the weekend after a new video of him flashing a gun on Instagram Live went viral. The superstar guard had previously served an eight-game suspension for the exact same thing earlier in the season.
A number of people, such as BlocBoy JB, have come out in support of Morant. Meanwhile, Vic Mensa didn’t explicitly support Morant, but said he hopes he overcomes this latest tribulation. However, a vast majority of people have spoken out against Morant. While there is a debate on how harshly he should be punished, the general consensus is that Morant was an idiot for what he did. Furthermore, repeating the exact same thing that previously got you suspended is only going to anger the League office. Now Charles Barkley has added his voice to the mix.
Barkley Calls Out Morant Supporters
Speaking on Inside the NBA, Barkley didn’t hold back when discussing Morant and his supporters. “We got some idiots, some fools, some jackasses on television that really just piss me off, talking about Ja should make a stand by saying he didn’t break any laws, he didn’t do anything wrong. Those guys are just freaking idiots,” Barkley said. “When you’re making $100 million a year to play sports, your life changes. There are certain rules and regulations that you have to live by. You can’t do stupid stuff. That’s the tradeoff.” Morant is set to make $33.5 million next season as part of a 5 year, $194 million contract extension. However, Morant recently missed out on a $39 million bonus after failing to be named to an All-NBA team this season.
According to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, the league is leaning towards a “lengthy” suspension for Morant. This likely stems from Commissioner Adam Silver, who partially staked his reputation on the idea that Morant was genuinely remorseful after the last suspension. However, we will have to wait and see what punishment the league hands down over the next few weeks. This is a developing story and you can find any updates here on HotNewHipHop.
Ja Morant can’t even look to Stephen Jackson for support. On a recent episode of the Paper Route show from I Am Athlete, Stack said, “Can’t nobody defend him.”
“I’ve been a guy who was thrown a lot of money at a young age and made a mistake,” Jackson said. “I’m totally different from the person I was. It’s not what you do, it’s what you do after. And, what you do after is not do the same thing again, like what he just did.”
He added, “This was a moron move. His parents should be embarrassed. His friends around him, like we said from the last incident, ain’t really his friends. It’s just a fucked up situation. You gotta really put everything in his lap and let him deal with it.”
“Can’t nobody defend him.”
“He needs to figure out why being a basketball player isn’t enough.”@DaTrillStak5, @AshNicoleMoss, & @BMarshall weigh in on Ja Morant’s latest suspension for flashing a gun on IG live
Ja Morant issued a statement after being suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies for flashing another gun on Instagram Live.
“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” Morant said in a statement to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
Ja Morant statement: “I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me. This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
Appearing in an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews before the NBA Draft lottery, league commissioner Adam Silver gave his reactions to the Ja Morant news over the weekend.
The Memphis Grizzlies have already suspended Morant from team activities, but there are believed to be more issues on the way for the star guard.
During the interview, Silver stated he was “shocked.”
“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend that video,” Silver said. “Now, we’re in the process of investigating it, and we’ll figure out exactly what happened to the best we can. The video is a bit grainy and all that, but I’m assuming the worst.”
After Morant’s first event, Silver issued an eight-game suspension and conversed with the guard. In Tuesday’s (May. 16) interview, Silver revealed more of his conversation at that time. “Frankly, most of our conversation as about how incredibly serious the first incident was of waving a firearm on social media.”
Ja Morant has issued a statement after being suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies for flashing another gun on Instagram Live.
“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” Morant said in a statement to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
Ja Morant statement: “I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me. This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
Appearing in an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews before the NBA Draft lottery, league commissioner Adam Silver gave his reactions to the Ja Morant news over the weekend.
The Memphis Grizzlies have already suspended Morant from team activities, but there are believed to be more issues on the way for the star guard.
During the interview, Silver stated he was “shocked.”
“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend that video,” Silver said. “Now, we’re in the process of investigating it, and we’ll figure out exactly what happened to the best we can. The video is a bit grainy and all that, but I’m assuming the worst.”
After Morant’s first event, Silver issued an eight-game suspension and conversed with the guard. In Tuesday’s (May. 16) interview, Silver revealed more of his conversation at that time. “Frankly, most of our conversation as about how incredibly serious the first incident was of waving a firearm on social media.”
Vic Mensa was recently spotted in New York City, according to TMZ. As the outlet caught up with him, Mensa delivered a freestyle alluding to star Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.
“My mama keep telling me to stop, I can’t / the second time they caught me with that gun: damn, I feel like Ja Morant,” he rapped.
The lines refer to Morant brandishing a gun on social media two times, resulting in a suspension. While Mensa used the situation as inspiration for some bars, he then offered benedictions for Morant and noted that he hopes Morant can grow from the situation.
“I think God blessed Ja Morant, man,” said Mensa. “I pray that that brother gets it together and he figures it out because he’s too brilliant and so talented. He’s got a gift, he’s got a real gift. So, I don’t want to see him have to go down that path because he’s so good.”
Morant has faced much scrutiny for showing off his guns on social media. Chandler Parsons, who played for the Grizzlies from 2016 to 2019, suggested that Morant endure a year-long suspension. Mensa, however, continues to show support for Morant.
“I think God blessed him,” said Mensa. “I’m not gonna say anything to disparage him. There’s enough people doing that.”
The Memphis Grizzlies suspended superstar Ja Morant on Sunday, pending an NBA investigation. It came as a result of, for the second time in 2023, Morant appearing on Instagram Live with a gun. The first time occurred in March at a Denver nightclub. That incident led to an eight-game suspension for Morant. The second, which went viral on social on May 13, appeared to occur while Morant was cruising with longtime friend Davonte Pack. Morant has since released a statement about the incident.
The latest figure to share their take on the situation is rapper Vic Mensa, who was interviewed by TMZ in New York. Mensa’s take focused more on supporting Morant than actively discussing the situation. “I think God blessed Ja Morant, man,” Mensa told TMZ. “I pray that that brother gets it together and he figures it out because he’s too brilliant and so talented. He’s got a gift, he’s got a real gift. So, I don’t want to see him have to go down that path because he’s so good. I think God blessed him,” he continued. “I’m not gonna say anything to disparage him. There’s enough people doing that.”
It’s unclear how severely Morant will be punished for this latest incident. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he was “shocked” by the video, and expressed disappointment over Morant’s relapse into such behavior. However, the NBA will have to find a way to show their stance on the issue while also acknowledging that they are a business and Morant is a major revenue draw. Fans have called for everything from no punishment to a full-season suspension. However, this is a developing story and any updates will be found here on HotNewHipHop.
On May 14, Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant was indefinitely suspended by the team pending an NBA investigation. It came as a result of, for the second time in 2023, Morant appearing on Instagram Live with a gun. The first time occurred in March at a Denver nightclub. That incident led to an eight-game suspension for Morant. The second, which went viral on social on May 13, appeared to occur while Morant was cruising with longtime friend Davonte Pack.
While the NBA is yet to fully address the situation, Commissioner Adam Silver said he was “shocked” by the incident when asked at the NBA Draft Lottery. A lot of speculation has arisen about the severity of punishment Morant will face. Ideas range from JJ Redick’s suggestion to simply double the previous suspension to calls for a suspension that would span half the season or more. However, it will likely be some time before the NBA makes their decision, as they walk the line between reputation and Morant’s draw as a player.
Morant Finally Issues A Statement
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 6: Ja Morant attends Saturday Nights at Sound Nightclub on May 6, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
However, amid all this, the one person who hadn’t been heard from was Ja Morant himself. That all changed on May 16 following Silver’s comments at the lottery, with Morant releasing a statement through his representatives. “I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” the statement began. “This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
Despite addressing the situation, the vague and generic statement has rung hollow for many people. Soon after it was released, a joke began to spread on social media that Morant had used an AI program like ChatGPT to write an apology for him. Furthermore, Morant’s statement is essentially a re-write of the apology he gave after his first suspension. In March, after returning to practice with the Grizzlies, Morant said much of the same. “I’m completely sorry for that. So, you know, my job now is, like I said, to be more responsible, more smarter, and don’t cause any of that no more.” Arguably, his March apology was more convincing. This is a developing story and any updates will be covered here on HotNewHipHop.
The Memphis Grizzlies placed Ja Morant on an indefinite suspension on May 14. The decision came after a video of Morant flashing a gun on Instagram Live went viral on social media. Morant served an eight-game suspension during the 2022/23 regular season for the same offense.
However, the NBA declined to comment on the video, opting only to say that they were investigating. It was clear that the league was unwilling to let the latest Morant drama derail one of the biggest NBA Draft Lotteries in recent years. Despite this, the league finally broke its silence on the Morant situation when Commissioner Adam Silver sat down with ESPN.
Silver “Shocked” And Disappointed
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 19: Adam Silver, Commissioner of the NBA speaks prior to the NBA match between Chicago Bulls v Detroit Pistons at The Accor Arena on January 19, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
There were two aspects to Silver’s reaction – shock and disappointment. “We talked directly about the consequences first,” Silver told ESPN on Tuesday, in regard to Morant’s original suspension. “Before we got to a subsequent potential to have done something wrong, we were very focused on the misconduct that was in front of us at the time. Frankly, most of our conversation was about how incredibly serious the first incident was of waving a firearm on social media. Again, the consequences there — an eight-game suspension — was pretty serious and something that he, at least to me, seemed to take incredibly seriously in that time. And we spoke for a long time about not just the consequences that could have on his career, but the safety issues around it.”
This background led to a frank and candid reaction from Silver about the latest incident involving Morant. “Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend that video,” Silver said. “Now, we’re in the process of investigating it, and we’ll figure out exactly what happened to the best we can. The video is a bit grainy and all that, but I’m assuming the worst.” It’s unclear what punishment the NBA will hand down for this latest incident. Morant is one of the league’s biggest young stars and a major draw for fans and viewers. However, the NBA cannot afford to look as those its players can openly flaunt the league’s disciplinary policies. This is a developing story and any updates can be found here on HotNewHipHop.
Appearing in an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews before the NBA Draft lottery, league commissioner Adam Silver gave his reactions to the Ja Morant news over the weekend.
In case you missed it, Ja Morant has found himself in trouble again. The star guard for the Memphis Grizzlies has been suspended again after flashing yet another gun on Instagram while listening to NBA YoungBoy.
The Memphis Grizzlies have already suspended Morant from team activities, but there are believed to be more issues on the way for the star guard.
During the interview, Silver stated he was “shocked.”
“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend that video,” Silver said. “Now, we’re in the process of investigating it, and we’ll figure out exactly what happened to the best we can. The video is a bit grainy and all that, but I’m assuming the worst.”
After Morant’s first event, Silver issued an eight-game suspension and conversed with the guard. In Tuesday’s (May. 16) interview, Silver revealed more of his conversation at that time. “Frankly, most of our conversation as about how incredibly serious the first incident was of waving a firearm on social media.”
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