An intriguing idea was floated this week by New York Daily News writer Stefan Bondy: By paying relatively modest fines to New York City, the Brooklyn Nets could play Kyrie Irving in home games. The move would remedy a competitive disadvantage the Nets face in losing their star point guard for about half their games. It would also encounter legal and league barriers.
More from Sportico.com
Per an executive order issued by then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio last year, people who are unvaccinated for COVID-19 are barred from entering the city’s sports arenas, including the Barclays Center, home of the Nets, and Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks play. The order applies to players on the Nets and Knicks, but not on other NBA teams. It also doesn’t cover the HSS Training Center, the Nets training facility in Brooklyn. HSS is considered a private office building and outside the order’s scope.
Irving, who is unvaccinated, is therefore ineligible to play in the Nets’ 19…
