NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The Brooklyn Nets announced Tuesday it would bench basketball star Kyrie Irving from practice or playing until he's vaccinated against COVID-19, though it will only affect his salary from missed home games.
"The only salary he loses is for the home games," said Nets General Manager Sean Marks.
Irving reportedly makes around $33 million with the Nets.
Marks released a statement Tuesday morning saying the Nets respect his "individual right to choose."
"Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant," he said. "Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability."
The 29-year-old is required along with every Knicks and Nets player to be vaccinated in New York in order to practice or play at home games. However, Irving is the only member of his team to be unvaccinated.
He has not been with the team for any of their practices and is banned from away games.
"It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice," Marks said. "Our championship goals for the season have not changed, and to achieve these goals each member of our organization must pull in the same direction. We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the borough of Brooklyn proud."
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