NBA players won’t be mandated to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, league sources tell Baxter Holmes and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The news doesn’t come as a major surprise. While other NBA personnel – including referees – are required to be fully vaccinated for the start of the season, imposing such a mandate on players would’ve meant negotiating the issue with the NBPA. That aspect of negotiations between the league and the players’ union has been considered a “non-starter,” per Holmes and Wojnarowski.
Although there won’t be a mandate in place, a league spokesperson recently said that about 85% of the NBA’s players are fully vaccinated, according to ESPN’s duo, and the league will continue to implement strict testing protocols for unvaccinated players.
Besides potentially having to eat and travel in different sections than their vaccinated teammates, unvaccinated players will be required to register one negative COVID-19 test on each practice or travel day and two negatives tests on each game day, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Fully vaccinated players won’t undergo regular coronavirus testing, Charania notes.
While most NBA players will still be able to play in games without being fully vaccinated, that won’t be the case for those based in cities like New York and San Francisco, where there are new laws about vaccinations for indoor gatherings. We outlined earlier this month how Knicks, Nets, and Warriors players would be affected by those regulations, and ESPN’s report today reiterates that the NBA will abide by those local vaccination requirements unless a player has an approved medical or religious exemption.
So much trouble being un-vacced, and it could be worse, with more places like NY & SF.
It is more problematic if you are unvaccinated. You can’t drink and drive, so why not get vaccinated. The heart problems caused by not being vaccinated should scare any athlete.
Stupid
15% of players don’t trust big pharmaceutical companies?
They must see all the class action lawsuit commercials on tv.
In before: aLl vAcCiNeS aRe sAfE
Those commercials aren’t for vaccines.
True because vaccines are protected by federal law. Citizens can’t pursue reparations for adverse effects, if they were to occur.
Correct.
Someone would have to sue in vaccine court.
Where the settlements are paid for by the US taxpayers.
They’re the same companies though.
Enjoy all the booster doses they’re selling us.
why arent most of the leagues? one word – unions.
Lebron isnt getting vaxxed, so the NBA says no mandates. Scumbag corrupt league
Those are some harsh words coming from a guy who is balls deep into Warriors fandom. Find a new hobby Marty this one isn’t good for your weak mind
Shouldn’t you be at a Christian military school, Jimmy?