Kyrie Irving–NBA Fines Brooklyn Nets $50,000 for Allowing Him Into Locker Room Amidst Covid-19 Protocols

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving–NBA Fines Brooklyn Nets $50,000 for Allowing Him Into Locker Room Amidst Covid-19 Protocols

It looks like Kyrie Irving is still being penalized for not getting the Covid-19 vaccine!

According to reports, the NBA has fined the Brooklyn Nets $50,000 for allowing Kyrie Irving into the team’s locker room during Sunday’s (Mar. 13) game. Apparently, the Nets violated local laws as well as the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Kyrie Irving — who has not received the Covid-19 vaccine and has publicly spoken out on the mandate–is not allowed to participate in the team’s home games at the Barclays Center in New York City due to the workplace vaccine mandate.

kyrie irving

While the 29-year-old athlete did not participate in Sunday’s game, he was a spectator and sat courtside to watch his team play. Reportedly, there is no longer a mandate that fans be vaccinated to enter the arena, however, there is still a mandate for someone who works there. 

The league said in a statement Monday (Mar.14) that the Nets violated New York City law and NBA health and safety protocols by allowing Kyrie Irving to enter into the locker room. Unlike the stands, the locker room is considered part of the team’s workplace environment.

Brooklyn Nets star and Irving’s teammate, Kevin Durant, 33, had a lot to say about New York City Mayor, Eric Adams after Sunday’s game. In his postgame interview, Durant called on Adams to change the mandate, calling it “ridiculous” that unvaccinated people could be in the arena but not play in it.

“I don’t get it. It just feels like at this point now, it feels like somebody’s trying to make a statement or a point to flex their authority, but everybody out here is looking for attention, and that’s what I feel the mayor wants right now, some attention. But he’ll figure it out soon. He better.”

The Nets released a statement from Durant on Monday in which he explained the criticism towards Adams, seemingly doubling down on his comments from the night before. Durant said,

“The last two years have been a difficult and painful time for New Yorkers, as well as a very confusing time with the changing landscape of the rules and mandates, I do appreciate the task the Mayor has in front of him with all the city has been through. My frustration with the situation doesn’t change the fact that I will always be committed to helping the communities and cities I live in, and play in.”

After publicly criticizing mayor Eric Adams and New York’s vaccine rules on Sunday, Kevin Durant has issued the following statement, per the team: pic.twitter.com/6PEKqtnaVm

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) March 14, 2022

Kyrie Irving has yet to speak out on the $50,000 fine.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

[Source: 1, 2]