The NBA fined the Brooklyn Nets $50,000 for allowing guard Kyrie Irving to enter the team’s home locker room during Sunday’s game against the NY Knicks even though Irving had not been vaccinated against Covid-19 and thus was not allowed to be with the team at Barclays Center, reports the New York Times.
Irving had attended the game as a spectator, with a seat in the front row.
Under New York City law, Irving cannot play in games at Barclays Center because of a vaccine mandate for New York City-based workers who perform in-person work.
While Mayor Eric Adams loosened some vaccine requirements this month, he has left in place the private sector mandate. Under the NBA’s health and safety protocols, teams are obliged to follow local rules.
The Nets declined to comment.
Nets forward Kevin Durant called the rule “ridiculous”. He also criticised the mayor.
