NBA referees required to be vaccinated

The NBA and National Basketball Referees Association reached an agreement Saturday that requires full vaccinations for all officials working this upcoming season, the league announced.

Referees with a religious or medical exemption will be excluded from the mandate. Officials also agreed to take any recommended boosters.

Those who choose not to be vaccinated and are not exempt won't be allowed to work any contests during the 2021-22 campaign.

"This agreement was a win-win," the NBRA said in a statement obtained by Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. "It will support the NBA's objective of creating a safer on-court environment and continuity of play while protecting the health and well-being of the referees."

The NBA's decision comes a day after it required most team staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Vaccination is currently not mandatory for players.