NBA Clamping Down With Vaccination Rules for Coming Season

 

The NBA is doing everything it can to ensure a safe and uninterrupted season. According to Shams Charania, the league will be requiring all referees, coaches, front-office executives and all other personnel who interact with players to be fully vaccinated for the 2021-22 season. 

Now, referees, coaches, front-office executives and all other personnel who interact with players during the NBA season are required to be fully vaccinated. https://t.co/6vgZ3SINf1

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 28, 2021

The directive does not apply to players, but rather all other team and league personnel. This includes medical/performance staff, equipment, player development, team/arena security, PR, social media, scorer's table, attendants.

After watching the plethora of major league baseball players having breakthrough infections, even though fully vaccinated, the NBA isn't taking any chances. 

But taking the step to require players to be vaccinated as well, was seemingly a bridge too far for the league at this time. Earlier this week, the NFL proposed a requirement for players to be vaccinated, but their players association opposed it, instead asking for a return to daily Covid-19 testing. 

As pointed out by The Athletic, several NBA teams have already mandated that any employees or fans entering their buildings have proof of vaccination, including the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the Chase Center in San Francisco, and the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto (which is also accepting a negative Covid-19 test for admittance). 

This will no doubt be a developing story. 

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports