by remaining unvaccinated with Covid-19, Kyrie Irving refuses a contract of more than 100 million dollars
Kyrie Irving is always the center of attention. During the traditional NBA pre-season day devoted to the media, Monday September 27, the star of the Brooklyn Nets claimed to have refused a four-year extension, before the 2020-2021 season, because of his decision not to stand. get vaccinated against Covid-19.
« I gave up another four years, for 100 and a few million by maintaining my decision not to get vaccinated.did he declare. To sign such a contract, to get vaccinated or not to get vaccinated…there is a level of uncertainty about your future (…) so I had to face this possibility of losing my job for this decision. »
« I gave up 4 years, $100-something million deciding to be unvaccinated. I had to deal with that real life circumstance of losing my job. »
-Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/QMSZyG4YfC
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) September 26, 2022
Last season, Kyrie Irving was forced to miss home matches, until the end of March 2022, because the health protocol in force until then in New York prohibited non-vaccinated people from entering a gym. Previously, he had also been temporarily removed from his team since he was not eligible for all meetings.
The 30-year-old added that he received a « ultimatum » to get vaccinated, if he wanted his contract extended. « We were supposed to have it all sorted out before training camp last season. And it just didn’t happen, because of my refusal. I just had to live with it. It was a tough pill to swallow »he insisted.
This version of a « ultimatum » imposed on the player was refuted by Nets general manager Sean Marks: « It’s just about wanting people who are reliable, present and responsible. All of us, the staff, the players, the coaches. It’s not about giving someone an ultimatum to get vaccinated. « he assured.
At the end of June, Kyrie Irving finally exercised the option to stay one more season with the Nets, until June 2023, which guarantees him a salary of 37 million dollars.
