Stephanie Logue 

Staff Writer 

According to the NBA, stars and officials have been pushing for all players to be vaccinated for months. Despite the fact that 90 percent of the league has been vaccinated, there are still a few holdouts, according to a CNN source, and it could cost them their jobs. According to Mike Bass the NBA’s executive president of communications, also on Wednesday, September 29th  that unvaccinated NBA players who do not comply with local vaccination laws will not be compensated for the games they miss. The law primarily impacts unvaccinated players on the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors, as both cities require all players to be vaccinated, barring religious exemptions. The vaccination executive directives only apply to players who play in specific markets; players who play outside of those markets are excluded. The New York Knicks have previously said that their entire organization is completely vaccinated and in conformity with New York City law, including all players. According to ESPN, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are nearing an agreement on health and safety rules for this season, which were distributed to teams on Tuesday night. Players from visiting teams who compete at the cities’ arenas are not subject to the cities’ immunization policies.

This has created many tensions with the players and their opinions. A few examples include Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors is one of the league’s holdouts. When asked about his view on the matter on Monday, he stated, “I’m just going to keep fighting for what I believe and for what I believe is right.” “What is right for one person isn’t right for the other and vice versa.” Some politicians have weighed in with their thoughts on the subject. Senator Ted Cruz, according to SFGATE.com, agrees with Andrew Wiggins and “stands with” him. NBA icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, on the other hand, wants unvaccinated athletes removed from teams.

Though all players in the league are not required to be vaccinated, those who are not — regardless of team — are subject to tighter health and safety standards.

 Unvaccinated players will be subjected to daily Covid-19 testing before entering a team facility, participating in team-organized activities, or interacting with other players or Tier 1 Personnel, which includes coaches, referees, and anyone who works within 15 feet of players on a regular basis, according to the NBA. They’re also not allowed to eat in the same room as other players or Tier 1 personnel. Outside of the team atmosphere, unvaccinated players will be compelled to stay at home during home games or at the team hotel while on the road, with only essential activities being allowed to leave. 

Outside of the team atmosphere, unvaccinated players will be compelled to stay at home during home games or at the team hotel while on the road, with only essential activities being allowed to leave. Meanwhile, vaccinated athletes will continue to undergo weekly Covid-19 testing. The Nets league is still undecided about the team’s immunization status. Meanwhile, the league has mandated that all gameday personnel, referees, and front-office staffers be completely vaccinated.

The regular season of the 2021-2022 season will begin on October 19th