Month: September 2021

NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said on Wednesday that NBA players who do not comply with local vaccination requirements will not be paid for the games that they miss due to their status. The policy could impact players on the Warriors, Nets and Knicks, as all three teams play in areas in which local jurisdictions are requiring people to be fully vaccinated to be allowed indoors for entertainment.

Knicks general manager Scott Perry said the entire New York roster is vaccinated; however the policy can still impact the Warriors and Nets. Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving did not attend Nets media day in person Monday due to New York City’s health and safety protocols, and would not comment on his specific vaccination status, saying that he “prefers to keep that stuff private.”  And when asked to clarify his vaccination status on Monday, Golden State forward Andrew Wiggins declined, saying, “it’s none of your business.”  The NBA denied Wiggins’s request to get a religious exemption for the vaccine on Friday.

On Tuesday, the league informed teams that it was close to finalizing an agreement with the National Basketball Players Association on health and safety protocols for the upcoming season. NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said Tuesday that more than 90% of the league’s players are fully vaccinated.

Former world champion Manny Pacquiao announced his retirement from professional boxing after 26 years and 72 professional bouts. Pacquiao released a 15-minute video on his Facebook page sharing the news; he also announced last week he will run for president of the Philippines in 2022.

Pacquiao’s statement read: “To the greatest fans and the greatest sport in the world, thank you! Thank you for all the wonderful memories. This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but I’m at peace with it. Chase your dreams, work hard, and watch what happens. Good bye boxing.” In the video, Pacquiao thanked a long list of people who have helped and supported him throughout his esteemed career and also thanked the sport of boxing itself for shaping his life all those years ago. “You gave me the chance to fight our way out of poverty. Because of you, I was able to inspire people all over the world. Because of you, I have been given the courage to change more lives. I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life, I can’t imagine. I just heard the final bell.”

Pacquiao made his professional debut in 1995 at age 16 and became the first boxer to win the lineal championship in five different weight classes. He is also the only boxer to hold world championships across four different decades. Pacquiao held the welterweight title as recently as 2019 at age 40, making him the oldest boxer to ever do so. He last fought in Las Vegas on Aug. 21, which was his first bout in over two years.

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Veteran cornerback Richard Sherman traveled to Tampa Bay for a workout with the Buccaneers on Tuesday that could potentially lead to a deal with the team. According to multiple reports, Sherman — a three-time All-Pro — traveled to Florida after quarterback Tom Brady made a push to recruit the longtime Seattle Seahawks star. The Bucs reached out to Sherman weeks ago; sources told ESPN that Sherman would require at least a week or two before he can begin playing, making him ineligible for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots if the deal happens.

Sherman was arrested over the summer on accusations of drunkenly crashing his SUV into a construction zone and trying to break into his in-laws’ suburban Seattle home. He pleaded not guilty to drunken driving, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and other charges. He has reportedly been undergoing therapy since his arrest and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Friday.

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New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood confirmed that he has not received a COVID-19 vaccination, making him the only Devils player not vaccinated and potentially unavailable for some of his team’s games this season. The 24-year-old said he’s “not currently” vaccinated, but is leaving open the possibility that he could still get the vaccine. Said Blackwood: “I’ve not decided one way or the other whether I’m doing it. I’m taking a little bit of extra time. I have a couple of health concerns and health reasons why I’m working through it a little slower. I wanted to check off a couple of boxes, and not rush to do it.”

The NHL estimates that around 98% of its players will have been vaccinated before the season begins Oct. 12. There was no vaccine mandate by the league, but teams have strongly encouraged their players to get vaccinated, especially due to travel restrictions. Per an NHL and the NHLPA agreement on COVID-19 protocols, teams will have the ability to suspend unvaccinated players without pay if they can’t participate in hockey activities. That includes the inability to play games in Canada. The Devils will play teams in Canada nine times this season.

Blackwood said: “I’m not trying to be a distraction to them while I work through it. I don’t like making life more difficult for the staff or my fellow teammates. I would rather things be normal.”  Blackwood had a severe case of COVID-19 last season, right before an outbreak on the Devils. He had a heavy cough and trouble breathing, saying at the time that he “didn’t have the greatest lungs my whole life” and knew COVID-19 would impact him. He’s now “100% healthy” from COVID-19 and had no further complications from his illness during the offseason.

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