Nets owner slams pro-Kyrie, anti-vax protesters for 'hijacking the issue'

Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai accused protesters of "hijacking the issue" after demonstrators gathered outside the Barclays Center ahead of last Sunday's home opener to show support for Kyrie Irving, who's not with the team after refusing to comply with New York's vaccination mandate.

"I just think that it's cavalier for people to hijack something like this when life and death is at stake," Tsai told ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.

"People shouldn't make it into a political issue. So, when you see protesters, they're definitely making a political statement. These guys are not basketball fans. They could care less whether someone is on the court playing or not."

On Oct. 12, the Nets said Irving won't be able to play or practice with the team until the seven-time All-Star receives the COVID-19 vaccine so he can play games in New York.

Last Sunday, protesters carried signs that read "Stand with Kyrie" in the lead up to Brooklyn's 111-95 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets. Security had to intervene after several demonstrators caused a disturbance at the main entrance of the Barclays Center.

"They're hijacking the issue, but it's dangerous because we have a life and death situation," Tsai added. "The fact is, if you are not vaccinated and you catch COVID, you have a much higher probability of getting very, very sick and end(ing) up in the ICU and possibly (dying). That's the consequence."

He continued: "I think it's a matter of fact. It's science."

Irving is eligible to sign a four-year, $187-million extension with the team in the summer, something Tsai says is too far down the road to focus on at the moment.

"I hope that Kyrie can be part of the team, part of Brooklyn long term," Tsai said. "But I am not going to get into the extension thing. I think we have an immediate question of whether he can play this season, and I hope he gets vaccinated as soon as possible."