NYC mayor officially exempts athletes, performers from COVID vax mandate

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially exempted athletes and performers from the city’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate on Thursday.

The vaccination mandate affected New York City sports teams. Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving was among those and had been defiant against getting the jab since the start of the 2021-22 season. The mandate would have blocked some New York Yankees and New York Mets baseball players from taking the field to start the season too.

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Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving reacts after hitting a shot during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

"I’m going to make some tough choices. People are not going to agree with some of them," Adams said. "I must move this city forward."

Adams made the announcement at Citi Field alongside Mets general manager Sandy Alderson.

Irving, who is unvaccinated, was not permitted to play in any games in New York City this season due to the mandate. However, he was able to come to the Barclays Center as a fan and watch the Nets play from a paid seat. He made his season debut in January after the Nets said to start the season he would be kept out over his decision not to get the vaccine.

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Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving, far right, watches the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks at the Barclays Center, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver chimed in on the city's rule last month, saying it "doesn’t quite make sense."

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