NBA mandates COVID booster for media, personnel nearest players

(Field Level Media) Media and other in-person league personnel functioning in near proximity to teams and players on game day are under a new mandate from the NBA to receive the COVID-19 booster shot by Jan. 5.

In a memo to NBA executives and the league board of governors, senior vice president for player matters David Weiss outlined the updated protocol. It applies to all nonplayer personnel eligible to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control.

The order covers "league staff and vendors who in their official capacities interact in person with any player" within 15 feet, including referees, league operations, player development, team and player marketing, communications and NBA photos.

Teams were informed to monitor the process and report issues directly to the league by Jan. 7.

The shift follows comments from commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday in an interview with ESPN during which he said data and medical advisers collectively point to very low virus transmission in persons with three doses -- two mRNA shots and the booster.