NBA players will not be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, league sources told ESPN.
The NBA and NBPA continue to negotiate aspects of COVID-related protocols and procedures for the upcoming 2021-22 campaign, but the NBPA has refused to give in to its demand that players not be forced to take the vaccine, the sources, and any proposal requiring vaccination remains a “no start” point.
NBA referees and most NBA staff have an obligation to get vaccinated.
The NBA and NBPA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
About 85 percent of players are vaccinated, a league spokesman recently said, and in a preliminary memo obtained by ESPN in early September, the league described a set of strict protocols for unvaccinated players.
These protocols include having lockers away from vaccinated teammates and having to eat, fly, and travel by bus in different sections. These protocols are not final and are still subject to talks with the NBPA.
The NBA informed teams in early September that new laws will apply in both New York and San Francisco regarding vaccination requirements for members of the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors, including players from New York. their equipment, unless there is an approved medical or religious exemption, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.
In late August, the NBA informed teams that personnel under the control of the team working less than 15 feet from the players or officers during the games had to be fully vaccinated before 1 p.m. October, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.
In the last week, President Joe Biden announced a broad set of vaccine mandates that could affect up to 100 million Americans.