Here is all that you need to know about referees who have sued the NBA because they refused to take COVID vaccines
Three veteran referees of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have sued the league. The league allegedly fired the referees this year because they refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The reason for the refusal was their religious obligations.
Kenny Mauer, Mark Ayotte, and Jason Phillips filed a complaint in Manhattan federal court saying that the league improperly compelled them with their ‘hygienic norms’. The referees also complained that the NBA falsely concluded that the referee’s religious obligations are short of the league’s ‘high standard’ against being vaccinated.
Further, the NBA’s policy of “jab or job ultimatum” led to the suspension for the 2021-2022 season, said the plaintiffs. Notably, during the 2021-22 season, the league-mandated COVID vaccinations for all employees other than players.
In the 2022-23 season, the NBA lifted the vaccine mandate but refused to reinstate the referees since then. Interestingly, this lifting of vaccine requirements is consistent with the ban on vaccine mandates under the new seven-year collective bargaining agreement with referees.
“Had the NBA not taken upon itself to force faith-based conscientious objectors to adhere to secular norms, none of the plaintiffs’ complained-of injuries would have manifested,” said the complaint. It also stated that, “In sum: Plaintiffs were persecuted.” (h/t: Reuters)
Before being suspended, Kenny Mauer and Mark Ayotte were referees for 35 years and 17 years, respectively. Meanwhile, Jason Phillips was a referee for 19 years. Phillips later became vice president of referee operations and a replay center principal.
According to the lawsuit, NBA is accused of violating federal civil rights law and New York state and city human rights laws. For the damage caused, it seeks front and back pay, punitive damages, and damages for reputational harm and for pain and suffering.