Unvaccinated players won’t be payed if they are forced to miss games because of COVID-19, according to the NBA.
Mike Bass, NBA’s Executive Vice President of Communications, confirmed the policy on Wednesday.
“Any player who elects not to comply with local vaccination mandates will not be paid for games that he misses,” Bass said.
95% of NBA players have been vaccinated, according to Adrian Wojnarowsk from ESPN.
The NBA currently doesn’t require players to be vaccinated, despite requiring referees, medical staff, arena staff, club officials, and broadcast presenters to be vaccinated by the 1st of October.
Local health orders in places like San Francisco – where the Golden State Warriors are based – require vaccination for large indoor events.
Kyrie Irving has asked to keep his vaccination status private, and Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has confirmed he isn’t vaccinated.
The NBA rejected Wiggins’ request for a religious exemption for vaccination earlier in the week.
“The NBA has reviewed and denied Andrew Wiggins’ request for religious exemption from the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s order requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all participants age 12 and older at large indoor events. Wiggins will not be able to play in Warriors home games until he fulfills the city’s vaccination requirements.” the statement said.
Each game missed by Andrew Wiggins will cost him around $300,000, according to veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein.
-By Parker McKenzie
