In October, NBA players such as Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins were unable to play in games due to not being vaccinated. This was happening even before the season started and during pre games.
Last season, fans were not allowed in arenas due to covid protocol and FDA restrictions. All 82 games of the NBA season were still played by players, but with an online crowd.
Among the rules for unvaccinated players: They will not be able to eat in the same room with vaccinated teammates or staff; must have lockers as far away from vaccinated players as possible; and players must stay masked and at least six feet away from all other attendees in any team meeting. And unvaccinated players also will not be permitted to visit “higher-risk settings,” the NBA said, such as restaurants, bars, clubs, entertainment venues, and large indoor gatherings. This is restricting players tremendously and badly affecting their salaries.
You may be asking yourself why these players are not willing to get the vaccine? The reason is that the vaccine can and has damaged other players’ careers. For example, Atlanta Hawks guard Brandon Goodwin claims his season was ended because of the Covid-19 vaccine due to respiratory complications. “I got sick and I never quite recovered from it,”“Bro, I was so tired,” he said. “I felt like I couldn’t run up and down the court. My back was hurting.” These were the words from Brandon Goodwin after getting the mandatory vaccine for players.
It’s difficult to predict if these players will continue to be seated on the sidelines for not being vaccinated, or if they will be forced to comply.
