The NBA has seen a significant shift in player health and safety protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the league navigates these changes, one crucial factor remains at the forefront: vaccination. A large majority of NBA players have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Some, like Karl-Anthony Towns—who not only caught the virus in January, he watched it kill his mother, uncle, and five other members of his family—were early advocates for getting vaccinated. Others, like LeBron James, initially held out before receiving the vaccine in the name of teamwork.
However, the situation is not uniform across the league. There are still several players who are either unvaccinated or unwilling to share their vaccination status. This could have serious financial implications for them, particularly for players like Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors. As cities like San Francisco and New York enforce strict vaccination mandates, the stakes for these players increase dramatically.
The Landscape of Vaccination in the NBA
Vaccination has become a pressing issue in the NBA, particularly as teams prepare for the upcoming season. With a majority of players opting for the vaccine, the question arises: what happens to those who choose not to? Both San Francisco and New York City have passed executive orders mandating vaccination to enter certain buildings. For example, a person must be fully vaccinated to enter San Francisco's Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, while the Barclays Center in New York requires at least one COVID-19 shot.
This creates a unique situation where players based in these cities face the risk of missing out on games if they are not vaccinated. The rules only apply to players in those markets, which means out-of-state visitors are exempt. This discrepancy raises questions about fairness and the impact of these mandates on player performance and team dynamics.
Financial Consequences for Unvaccinated Players
Marc Spears reported that when asked about the potential financial losses due to his vaccination status, Wiggins responded that it was his problem, not the media's. However, the implications are significant. Bobby Marks noted that Wiggins could forfeit $8.9 million if he missed all 41 home games. This stark reality highlights the financial stakes involved for players who choose not to comply with vaccination mandates.
Similarly, reports indicate that Kyrie Irving stands to lose $425,000 for every game he misses that is played in New York, including all 41 Nets games and two road games with the New York Knicks. Since he plays in the New York market, these games count as de facto home games. With every player on the Knicks being vaccinated, the pressure is mounting for Irving to reconsider his stance.
The Potential for Change
As the season approaches, it's entirely possible that both Wiggins and Irving may have either gotten vaccinated or choose to do so. The financial implications of being unvaccinated are serious and could influence their decisions. The desire to play and contribute to their teams may outweigh their hesitance regarding the vaccine.
Ultimately, the situation highlights a broader conversation about health, safety, and the responsibilities of professional athletes. With large sums of money on the line, the choices made by these players could alter not only their careers but also the landscape of professional basketball.
Key Takeaways
What You Will Learn
- A large majority of NBA players are vaccinated, but some remain unvaccinated.
- Cities like San Francisco and New York have implemented strict vaccination mandates affecting players.
- Unvaccinated players could face significant financial losses, with Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins at risk of losing millions.
- The decisions of these players could influence their futures in the league as well as the team's success.
