The NBA made it clear that players who have not taken the Covid-19 vaccine will not get paid for any missed games, potentially translating into a significant financial hit to their earnings.
While the league does not mandate vaccinations for its players, there are stricter protocols in place. However, certain teams are dealing with local regulations that bar unvaccinated individuals from specific venues, such as indoor sports arenas. Cities like New York and San Francisco have such laws, preventing unvaccinated players from the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors from participating in home games.
According to the NBA, about 90% of its athletes are fully vaccinated, a rate much higher than the general population in the US. Nonetheless, some prominent players like Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors have chosen not to disclose their vaccination status, with Irving stating, “I’d prefer to keep that information private and work with my team to move forward with a plan.”
LeBron James admitted that he was initially hesitant about getting vaccinated but eventually decided it was the right decision the day before the NBA’s announcement.
