(TheIndependentStar.com) – Vaccine mandates are a hot-button issue as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Many people must choose between getting the shot or losing their job due to federal, state, and local rules. The decision was easy for one professional basketball player, but he’s paying a high price.
Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets made it clear he would not get a coronavirus vaccine. He stated he isn’t against shots, but he doesn’t support mandates that force people to make health decisions. Under New York City vaccine rules requiring full vaccination in indoor sports venues, his decision meant he could not play any home games.
On October 12, Sean Marks, the team’s general manager, announced Irving is no longer allowed to play any games or practice with the team until he receives a jab. Irving now stands to lose half of his $34.9 million salary. The team must still pay him for road games because they decided to bench him for those.
'It's not about money, it's about freedom': Kyrie Irving doubles down on refusing COVID vaccine even though he'll lose half his $35million salary by missing Nets games
via https://t.co/iDmtTZl3Op https://t.co/P61elOdk73— ImageKingUSA (@ImageKingUSA1) October 14, 2021
Irving says he doesn’t care about the money. He is standing up for the freedom to make his own medical decisions.
Marks said the decision was his and owner Joe Tsai’s only. They felt it was in the best interest of the organization.
Copyright 2021, TheIndependentStar.com
