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Mayor Eric Adams’ legal defense trust returned seven of eight contributions from Madison Square Garden kingpin James Dolan’s family business within days of receiving them, new records reveal — a move that put increased strain on the already cash-strapped fund. The records don’t spell out why the trust didn’t give back all the Dolan donations, which raised ethics concerns earlier this year due to the billionaire MSG owner’s extensive business interests before Adams’ administration.
The records show Adams’ trust did not return a $5,000 donation given on July 15 by one of Dolan’s other adult sons, Aidan, who, like his brothers, is an executive in his father’s MSG Entertainment company. Adams’ reelection campaign, which is also facing money-related problems, hasn’t returned any of the $16,800 it received from Dolan, his sons, father and business associates around the same time this summer, records show.
Eric Adams (New York City major): Tonight, by all accounts, @JalenBrunson1 not only solidified his legacy with the @nyknicks but in New York City as a whole. But all the legends of the past know legacies aren’t built in contracts and payouts — they’re built with blood, sweat, and your brothers on the court. Now let’s get that title! #NewYorkForever
Fred Katz: NYC Mayor Eric Adams was asked in an interview w Spectrum News 1 this morning if he would've traded Kyrie Irving if Irving were a city hall employee. "I will find the team that beats us the most and then send him to that team because we would start beating that team," Adams said.
Nets hired lobbyist to push NYC mayor to change vaccine rules to exempt Kyrie Irving
It’s clear the mandate change and Irving’s stance put an end to those title hopes. Sitting second in the East on Jan. 15, the Nets dropped 16 of 21 after Durant suffered a left knee injury. They fell to eighth by the time he returned six weeks later — and Tsai took action. On Feb. 6, Irving said, “Anything can happen these next few days, the next week. Just crossing my fingers that something can come up either before All-Star break or even just after.” Two days later — with the Nets on an eight-game losing skid — they hired ex-New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson to lobby new Mayor Eric Adams about changing the mandate so Irving could play at home.
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Shams Charania: NBA-NBPA statement following Mayor Eric Adams announcing exemption for unvaccinated athletes and performers to perform in NYC: pic.twitter.com/m4i0ReiwsH
NBA-NBPA statement following Mayor Eric Adams announcing exemption for unvaccinated athletes and performers to perform in NYC: pic.twitter.com/m4i0ReiwsH
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 24, 2022
Ian Begley: Statement from NBA & NBPA following NYC’s updated vaccination requirement, in part: “We support the Mayor’s determination that the old rules treating hometown and visiting players differently no longer made sense.” Full statement: pic.twitter.com/MjIMwGSmmX
NYC mayor allows athletes unvaccinated for COVID-19 like Kyrie Irving to play home games
New York City's mayor exempted athletes and performers from the city's vaccine mandate following weeks of pressure from the sports world after the rule kept Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving from playing in home games and was expected to block several baseball players from taking the field in their upcoming season. Mayor Eric Adams, speaking at Citi Field where the Mets play, said Thursday that he had signed the order. The exemption was effective immediately.
"I'm going to make some tough choices. People are not going to agree with some of them." Adams said. "I must move this city forward." Adams contended that making the athletes and performers exempt was important for the city's economic recovery, saying "players attract people to the stadium."
Adams had said he felt the vaccine rule was unfair when it came to athletes and performers because a loophole in the measure, imposed under his predecessor, allowed visiting players and performers who don't work in New York to still play or perform even if they are unvaccinated. Irving, a vaccine holdout, had been among the most high-profile people impacted. He was able to re-join the team in January but only when they played road games. When New York lifted rules several weeks ago requiring a vaccine to dine in a restaurant, work out at a gym or attend a performance, Irving was allowed to watch the Nets' home games but not play or enter the locker room. The Nets need him as they push for a playoff spot with nine games left in their regular season.
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Nick Friedell: KD and Kyrie didn't want to get into detail about what they expect to hear from Eric Adams tomorrow -- but they were both wearing big smiles walking out of the locker room. KD on Kyrie: "He just turns our whole team around when he's out there. Hopefully we get some good news"
Kyrie Irving eligible to make home debut vs. Hornets on Sunday
Shams Charania: Kyrie Irving is eligible to make his home debut at Barclays Center on Sunday vs. the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium . New NYC exemption for in-town athletes and performers will be effective immediately beginning Thursday.
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