Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian file / Getty Images
Amidst the challenges faced by employers and employees during the Covid-19 pandemic, we tend to forget that even some of the wealthiest figures still struggle to maintain job security. Not only are the average households in the U.S. and around the world presented with these challenges, but so are the people who earn millions of dollars–like famous athletes.
Companies all over the country are now taking steps toward preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. One way of accomplishing this is to mandate vaccines for employees in-order for them to continue their employment. Laws between states differ, and many employers have been forced to fire employees who refuse to take the vaccine. The NBA has not been exempt from these restrictions, and the teams have to abide by the laws set in their states as well.
One notable figure who has been affected by the NBA vaccine mandates is Brooklyn Nets Point Guard Kyrie Irving. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that all unvaccinated city workers would be placed on unpaid leave until they could provide proof of at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to their employers. This was to begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 29. Due to this mandate, professional athletes on the Brooklyn Nets who are not vaccinated are not permitted to play or practice in public venues. This would cause Kyrie Irving, who refused the vaccine, to miss practices and home games. As a result of this, the Brooklyn Nets decided that Kyrie would not continue to be with the team.
This decision has disappointed many fans and critics. Many people have considered Kyrie to be irresponsible and he has been ridiculed for the amount of money he will lose because of his decision. Kyrie has since expressed his opinions on a Zoom conference call on Nets’ Media Day. “I am doing what’s best for me. I know the consequences here and if it means that I’m judged and demonized for that, that’s just what it is,” he said.
Many people called attention to the $35 million salary in which he will be forfeiting half of because of this. This was not an easy decision for Kyrie, but on his own Instagram Live he stated that “It’s not always about the money. It’s about choosing what’s best for you. You think I really want to lose money?” In that live, Kyrie expressed that he did not want to give up his job or dreams of winning an NBA Championship.
Fortunately, there is hope for Kyrie this season. The New York mandate that prohibits unvaccinated athletes from practicing or playing in public venues could very well change within the next few months. Mayor-elect Eric Adams has expressed his thoughts on the vaccine mandates on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. “We need to revisit how we are going to address the vaccine mandates,” Adams said.
He will be the new Mayor of New York on January 1, 2022, and could make the changes needed to allow people like Kyrie Irving to remain employed. However, as he states, it is still Bill de Blasio’s time to be the man to make the decisions.
Teammates like Kevin Durant and Steve Nash, as well as the Team owner Joe Tsai, have all been supportive of Kyrie’s decision, they have stated that they miss him and are ready to welcome him back if the mandates change. Kyrie plans to be with the team this season and calls his decision a personal choice. When asked about his current vaccination status, Kyrie asked for his privacy but was adamant about returning and playing again. In his Instagram Live he stated “No, I’m not retiring and no I’m not going and leaving this game like this.”
