The NBA had hoped that many of its star players would participate in their efforts to promote the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, though that doesn’t appear to be happening, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com.
Many of the elite NBA players have met the league’s request to participate in league-sponsored Public Service Announcements designed to increase the acceptance of the vaccine with a “tepid response,” sources tell Woj.
There’s a number of factors that are contributing to the apprehension. Uncertainty around taking the vaccine themselves is behind some of the players’ reasoning. Other factors include a reluctance to advocate for others to do it as well as a resistance to help the league at this time, given the NBA is holding the All-Star game against several players’ wishes, Woj adds.
The NBA won’t jump the line in getting the vaccine, though players are expected to have the option of getting beginning at the end of March/early April. However, that timeline is fluid and dependent on many factors outside of league control.
Commissioner Adam Silver could incentivize teams and individuals to take the vaccine by loosening restrictions, including quarantine and testing protocols, for those vaccinated, a source tells Wojnarowski.
