The NBA explained on Monday why it declined to suspend LeBron James for breaking the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
James reportedly attended an event promoting a tequila brand alongside Drake and Michael B. Jordan prior to the Lakers’ play-in game against the Golden State Warriors last week.
The appearance reportedly violated the league’s COVID-19 protocols, but the league declined to suspend or isolate James for the violation.
NBA Statement: pic.twitter.com/WBdU6vdR4Q
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 24, 2021
NBA chief communications officer Mike Bass followed up Monday to say the four-time MVP “briefly attended an outdoor event last week where participants were required to be vaccinated or return a negative test result.”
Speaking with reporters last week, James declined to specify whether he had received the COVID-19 vaccine and said, “It’s not a big deal.”
The NBA ended Monday’s statement by saying that players who have received the vaccine are afforded more latitude in terms of taking part in events and activities away from the court, including sponsor appearances and ad shoots.
