The Brooklyn Nets will not allow point guard Kyrie Irving to participate in any team activities for as long as he remains unvaccinated for COVID-19. New York City has a vaccine mandate requiring all people be vaccinated in order to utilize indoor facilities. This includes the Nets practice facilities and the Barclays Center where the Nets play games. 

“It is reality that in order to be in New York City, in order to be on a team, I have to be vaccinated,” Irving said. “I chose to be unvaccinated, and that was my choice, and I would ask you all to just respect my choice.”

Nets general manager Sean Marks said on Tuesday that he and team owner Joe Tsai ultimately made the decision not to let Irving join the team until he gets at least one vaccine. Marks also said that Irving will lose only the money he was due to play in home games, which he is not allowed to do under New York Cities mandate. If Irving misses every game in Brooklyn this season, he could lose over 17 million dollars. 

“I am staying grounded in what I believe in,” Irving said. “It is as simple as that. It is not about being anti-vax or about being on one side or the other. It is just really about being true to what feels good for me.”