The Unvaxxed Are Back

New York City Mayor Drops Mandate Allowing Mets, Yankees & Kyrie Irving to Play Home Games

One of the last remaining sports hurdle in the era of COVID-19 has finally been eliminated. Later today, New York City mayor Eric Adams is expected to announce the private-sector vaccine mandate will no longer apply to performers and athletes in local venues. The news will allow unvaccinated players to participate in home games. That includes both Mets and Yankees players, as well as the Brooklyn Nets’ high-profile star, Kyrie Irving.

 Kyrie Irving: The Nets (38-34) are currently 8th in the Eastern Conference and desperately need Irving back for the stretch run and postseason. Irving has spent the entire 2021-22 NBA season participating only on road trips. The mandate reversal should give Brooklyn a boost just in time for the playoffs.

 Mets & Yankees: It’s not known which Mets and Yankees players are unvaccinated, but the timing of the news means no one will know as 100 percent of players will be full participants on Opening Day.

 The Border Exception: When it comes to sports, Canada-based teams present the final COVID-19 hurdle with international travel restrictions. Unvaccinated players will still be unable to participate in games based in Toronto (ie. Raptors and Blue Jays). Should the Nets draw the Raptors in the playoffs, Irving’s status could become a factor. As for the upcoming NHL Playoffs, only four NHL players reportedly remain unvaccinated.

Additional Storylines

USA Today: NYC to Lift Mandate, Paving Way for Unvaccinated Players

NY Post: Mayor’s Vaccine-Mandate Change a Win for NYC Sports—But Clear Double Standard

House of Highlights: Kyrie Irving Goes for 43 Against Grizzlies After NYC Mandate News (Video)

Photo: Adam Glanzmann / Getty Images