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A32 sports
Diahuebs 30 september 2021

NBA releases protocols to teams for virus safety this season

lab-based tests on game days. was best suited for not only The difference between vac-
me but for my family and cinated and unvaccinated
“A vaccine mandate for NBA my friends. And, you know, players will also govern the
players would need an agree- that’s why I decided to do it.” rules surrounding what hap-
ment with the Players As- pens when contact tracing
sociation,” NBA spokesman Some top NBA players, in- flags a player as being possi-
Mike Bass said. “The NBA cluding Washington’s Brad- bly exposed to a person who
has made these proposals but ley Beal and Golden State’s is positive for COVID-19,
the players’ union has reject- Andrew Wiggins, have said the NBA told teams.
ed any vaccination require- they remain unvaccinated.
ment.” Phoenix star Devin Booker Those who are fully vacci-
missed the start of camp be- nated will not be required
Later, the NBPA responded cause he tested positive, re- in most cases to quarantine,
by celebrating the 90% vacci- vealing that over the week- though will need seven days
nation rate and noting how it end but not saying if he of testing. Unvaccinated
exceeds the national percent- is vaccinated. Others, like players flagged by contact
(AP) - The NBA released exceptions — such as going age. “The real story is not Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving — an tracing will need to quaran-
tentative health and safe- to buy groceries, taking chil- why vaccination isn’t man- NBPA vice president — have tine for seven days.
ty protocols to its teams dren to school and the like. dated in the NBA. The real also refused to divulge their
Tuesday, detailing how story for proponents of vac- vaccination status, though Ir- The NBA and the players
players who haven’t got- And unvaccinated players cination is how can we emu- ving not attending Nets me- are still working on some
ten the COVID-19 vac- also will not be permitted to late the Players in the NBA,” dia day in person on Monday final topics, all with hopes
cination will be tested visit “higher-risk settings,” union executive director Mi- suggests he remains unvacci- that this season — unlike last
far more often than their the NBA said, such as res- chele Roberts said. nated. year — doesn’t see waves of
vaccinated colleagues and taurants, bars, clubs, enter- game postponements or play-
face a slew of other re- tainment venues and large LeBron James of the Los An- Irving did practice with the ers missing extended periods
strictions. indoor gatherings. geles Lakers says he doesn’t Nets on Tuesday in San Di- of time because of the virus.
want to tell people what to do ego, where they’re holding Remaining topics include
Among the rules for unvac- The league is working with regarding vaccinations. But training camp. what would trigger needs for
cinated players: They will the National Basketball Play- James — who has more than fully vaccinated players to be
not be able to eat in the same ers Association to finalize 50 million Twitter followers The status of Wiggins and tested.
room with vaccinated team- the protocols, but some de- and nearly 100 million on In- Irving is particularly thorny
mates or staff, must have tails were agreed upon weeks stagram — did reveal Tuesday since local ordinances in San Some rules from last season
lockers as far away from vac- ago — including provisions that he is vaccinated. And like Francisco and New York will still apply, at least to be-
cinated players as possible, where unvaccinated players many other big NBA names would require them to be gin this season. All players
and must stay masked and will be tested on all practice, such as Portland’s Damian vaccinated or get a league and staff, regardless of vac-
at least 6 feet away from all travel, team activity and game Lillard, Lakers teammate An- exception — Wiggins has cination status, must wear
other attendees in any team days. Fully vaccinated players thony Davis and Milwaukee’s already tried that and failed masks in almost all situations
meeting. will not be subject to testing, Giannis Antetokounmpo, — in order to play in home inside team facilities, dur-
with very limited exceptions. James said he got the shots to games, which obviously ing travel and when on the
Further, unvaccinated players keep his family safe. make up half the schedule. bench during games. The
will be “required to remain at Fully vaccinated players — Irving is due to make about bench rule will not apply to
their residence when in their the category that at least 90% “I think everyone has their $35 million this season, Wig- head coaches, who are not re-
home market,” teams were of the league falls into — will own choice to do what they gins nearly $32 million. quired to mask during games.
told in the draft of the rules, largely be back to business feel is right for themselves
a copy of which was obtained as usual. Unvaccinated play- and their family and things “Any player who elects not to Also, it was previously agreed
by The Associated Press. ers will be given coronavi- of that nature,” James said. “I comply with local vaccination that anyone in proximity to
They will also need to stay on rus rapid tests on days where know that I was very (skepti- mandates will not be paid for players — stat-crew staffs,
team hotel properties when teams are practicing, travel- cal) about it all. But after do- games that he misses,” Bass team attendants, even NBA
on the road. In both cases, ing or having similar team ing my research and things said Wednesday. referees — must be vacci-
there are limited permissible events, plus they will need of that nature, I felt like it nated.

For CFP to expand by ’24, plans needs approval in 4 months

(AP) — The college sports change before the end of the for a vote. But the commis- said. “It’s too complex.”
leaders who run the Col- term, into the 12 years, we A 12-team plan was unveiled sioners were unable to come
lege Football Playoff have have three or four months. in June, but an eight-team to a consensus last week. Hancock said when and
about four months to If it’s going to change in year playoff is still on the table, where to play extra playoff
come to an agreement on 13, then we have a couple of along with simply staying at “I never expected a rubber games was discussed, along
a new format if expansion years. So, we have the luxury the current four, Hancock stamp on this,” Hancock with media rights.
is to be implemented for of time.” said.
the 2024 season.
The management commit- The Board of Managers,
If they can’t get it done by tee, comprised of the 10 FBS comprised of 11 presidents
then, any change to the way conference commissioners and chancellors representing
major college football decides and Notre Dame’s athletic each conference and Notre
its national champion will director, gathered at a hotel Dame, were originally ex-
have to wait until the cur- outside Chicago for a meet- pected to attend in-person,
rent television contract with ing that had been on the cald- but instead joined online for
ESPN runs out after 2025. endar for several months. the final two hours of the
meeting, Hancock said.
“We have time,” CFP Execu- Hancock said they discussed
tive Director Bill Hancock lingering issues that need to There was some hope that
said Tuesday after a four- be hammered out before a the management committee
hour meeting with the man- decision on whether to ex- would be ready to recom-
agement committee. “Be- pand is made. Most impor- mend a new format to the
cause if the event is going to tantly, how many teams? board this week and put it up