Updated Post – March 24, 11:50 PM
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was at Citi Field on Thursday morning to announce that he has signed an expanded exemption for private employees that would allow athletes and performers in the City.
Today we’re taking another step, putting New York-based athletes of a level playing field, ” Adams said. “We were treating our performers differently because they lived and played for home teams? It’s not acceptable.”
Before the expanded exemption, unvaccinated players for the Yankees and Mets would not have been able to play at home games.
Original Post – March 23, 18:55 PM
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is expected to lift the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for athletes and performers ahead of Major League Baseball’s opening day in April.
Politico reports that Mayor Adams is expected to announce a “major policy change” on Thursday that includes allowing players like the Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving and other athletes to play at home in New York.
Mayor Adams replaced former Mayor Bill de Blasio in office in January and made a commitment to New Yorkers to begin returning the city to normalcy. He is expected to announce a reversal of the private-sector vaccine mandate that will now allow athletes and performers in the Barclays Center, Citi Field, and Yankee Stadium, to play regardless of vaccine status.
The announcement of no more vaccine mandate comes just weeks before the start of the 2022 MLB regular season. The Mets open their 2022 home slate on April 15 against the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Yankees host the Red Sox on April 7. Just days ago teams were preparing for worst-case scenarios and figuring out playing without key players. But now those concerns are relieved and teams can proceed as they normally would.
The Brooklyn Nets led the lobbying group that was trying to lift the mandate in order to get Irving to play. But it’s important to note that Mets owner Steve Cohen donated $1.5 million to a political action committee that backed Adams in the Democratic primary last year. It is believed the Mets would have numerous players affected by the vaccine mandate.
The vaccine mandate only applied to players of hometown teams. It was reportedly de Blasio’s decision to not include out-of-state athletes.
“This is about leveling the playing field and making sure the rules apply equally to everyone who is a performer, no matter where you’re from,” said the person, who requested anonymity to speak freely about a proposal before it is announced told Politico. “The last administration created special carveouts that specifically hurt New York businesses and independent venues.”
The shift in the mandate is drastic from Adams who last week said there wouldn’t be any special treatment for athletes.
“Everyone is focused on the sports area. They’re focusing on one person. I’m focusing on 9 million people,” Adams said on March 16. “I’m not looking at one person. I’m looking at my city not closing down again.”
The New York Mets failed to reach the 85% vaccination status that would have relaxed Covid protocols last season. After an offseason of front office and on-field turnover, it is currently unknown where the organization stands.
