When Kyrie Irving Said the Earth Was Flat: How One Comment Sparked NBA-Wide Debate and Public Backlash
In 2017, Kyrie Irving made headlines not for dazzling handles or clutch shots, but for a statement that left fans and scientists scratching their heads. On a podcast with his Cavaliers teammates, Irving casually suggested that the Earth was flat. What began as an offhand remark quickly spiraled into a media firestorm, dragging the NBA into an unlikely debate about science, conspiracy theories, and personal responsibility.
The timing made it all the more surreal. Irving was at the peak of his career, playing alongside LeBron James on a championship-caliber Cleveland team. During the Road Trippin’ podcast, hosted by Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, Kyrie confidently declared: “The Earth is flat… it’s right in front of our faces. They lie to us.” The hosts laughed, but listeners weren’t sure if Irving was joking.
The clip went viral, fueling endless debates online. Reporters pressed Irving in postgame interviews, expecting him to walk back the comment. Instead, he doubled down, saying: “When I say these things, I’m not saying anything new. It’s not a conspiracy theory. The Earth is flat.”
The fallout was immediate. Teachers and scientists criticized Irving, pointing out that a global superstar had an enormous platform and millions of young fans who looked up to him. Neil deGrasse Tyson even weighed in, suggesting that Irving’s comments highlighted how celebrity culture could spread misinformation. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver responded too, saying he believed Irving was joking, but admitting he hadn’t actually asked him about it directly.
Inside the league, players and coaches teased him but also voiced concern. LeBron James defended Kyrie, saying, “Kyrie’s my little brother. He’s an interesting guy… but he’s not crazy.” Others, like Warriors forward Draymond Green, joked that while Kyrie was wrong, the comment at least got people talking about education and critical thinking.
Irving later clarified his stance, saying he had been trying to provoke people to question everything, and admitted that his words were taken too literally. By 2018, he apologized directly to schoolteachers, admitting that his comments may have confused young students. “At the time I was huge into conspiracies,” he said. “It was a big thing where everyone was like, ‘Yo, Kyrie, what are you talking about?’… I didn’t realize the effect I would have.”
Even so, the “Flat Earth Kyrie” label stuck. Fans still reference it to this day whenever Irving makes other unconventional or controversial statements. It became part of his complex public identity: a generational talent on the court, but a lightning rod for debate off of it.
The incident also sparked broader questions about athletes’ responsibilities. Should stars be free to share unfiltered thoughts, even if they fly in the face of science? Or do they carry a duty to avoid spreading ideas that could mislead fans? Kyrie’s flat Earth saga became a case study in the age of social media, where one viral comment can overshadow years of professional achievements.
Years later, Irving remains unapologetically outspoken, whether about politics, social justice, or personal beliefs. And while he’s moved on from the flat Earth theory, the moment continues to be cited as one of the most bizarre controversies in NBA history a reminder of how a single sentence can spark a global conversation.