Kyrie Irving is a professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics. He has also been outspoken in his support of vaccinations, and is not afraid to speak out against those who oppose such procedures. In an interview with ESPN, he said that he would “never” play in a game again if his children were not vaccinated.
Kyrie Irving is leaving more than $200 million on the table by digging in against vaccinations. He has stated that he wants to be able to make decisions for his children, but this decision could cost him a lot of money.
Irving, Kyrie stands to lose a lot of money as a result of his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Brooklyn Nets informed Irving that he would not be welcomed as a part-time player. Irving is ineligible for 43 of the team’s 82 games because New York City requires immunization for individuals who use public gyms, including Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden.
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association had previously agreed not to pay players for games in which they were ineligible, with a baseline per game of 1/91.6 of a player’s salary. Irving’s salary for 2021–22 is $34,916,200, which equates to almost $381,200 per game and over $16.4 million for the 43 games in which he is presently ineligible. For the three-time All-NBA point guard, though, the financial losses go well beyond that.
At this moment, Kyrie Irving is on the outside looking in.
Kyrie Irving sat on the bench for the Brooklyn Nets’ preseason opening in Los Angeles, but he won’t be back with the club until his vaccination status is addressed or New York City’s vaccine requirement is lifted. Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian
Kyrie Irving was effectively deactivated by the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 12 until his immunization status improves or the city removes the requirement. At least three players took part in the talks, including superstars Kevin Durant and James Harden, as well as Joe Harris, the longest-tenured Net.
In the most important free-agency period in club history, Irving and Durant arrived in Brooklyn in July 2019. Harden was acquired by the Nets in a January 2021 deal from the Houston Rockets. Brooklyn is the favorite to win the NBA title, but a tumultuous situation with Irving threatened to derail the team’s preparation and cohesion.
The club has lost one of its Big Three players by asking Irving to remain away, but it now has more clarity in terms of rotations and game plans. According to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, coach Steve Nash stated on Oct. 13 that it was a difficult decision.
“Everyone got a chance to speak. Making choices like that takes time. This is a tough choice to make. But I believe it was a good decision, one that everyone can understand,” Nash added. “We’re just going to go on, and if circumstances change, having him back in the fold would be great.” Having a player in and out like that was a risky scenario. There’s greater certainty now, so we can concentrate on the future and get things done.”
While Irving is facing the prospect of almost $16 million disappearing into thin air, the stakes are much greater.
Irving will not get a hefty contract extension from the Brooklyn Nets.
Kyrie Irving is in the third year of a four-year, $136.5 million deal that he signed in 2019 and is eligible for a four-year, $186 million extension.
To earn the deal, he’d have to activate his player option for 2022–23 ($36.5 million). But, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, that is no longer an option. Charania recently discussed the issue on The Glue Guys podcast.
“At the end of the day, he was ready to give up $16 million in pay this year and $186 million in an extension that he will not be given today,” Charania added.
Irving is facing a loss of more than $200 million in revenue. However, he acknowledges the stakes in remarks he made on social media on Oct. 13.
Kyrie Irving said he’s looking for something more important than money.
Kyrie Irving addressed his dispute with the Brooklyn Nets during an Instagram Live video. While expressing remorse for the situation, he also made it plain that he was not changing his mind, according to NBA.com:
“I’m doing what I think is best for me.” I’m aware of the repercussions, and if it means being condemned and vilified as a result, then be it. That is my job, but I have never wished to sacrifice my passion, my love, or my goal simply to fulfill this mandate.
“It’s all about figuring out what works best for you.” Do you honestly believe I want to lose money? Do you believe I’m serious about giving up my goal of winning a championship? Do you think I’m simply looking for a way out of my job?”
Kyrie Irving
Irving, on the other hand, made it plain that his career is far from finished.
“No, I’m not retiring, and no, I’m not leaving this game like way,” Irving said emphatically. “There’s still a lot of work to be done, and there are still a lot of other (young people) to encourage because I know they want to be better than me.”
Irving maintains that he is neither anti-vaccine nor anti-science. The Nets, according to Charania, are open to trade proposals.
It didn’t have to be this way in the end. Even though the repercussions impact everyone in the Brooklyn Nets organization, Kyrie Irving chose this route.
Spotrac provided contract details.
RELATED: Karl-Anthony Towns Demands Kyrie Irving and Others Provide a Reason for Not Vaccinating: ‘Just don’t give me a ****** Excuse Why,’ says the narrator.
Kyrie Irving leaving more than $200 million on the table by digging in against vaccination. Reference: kyrie irving wallpaper.
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