Photo: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in a podcast Wednesday that he requires all of his employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Driving the news: Cuban's comments come the same week Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Monday that prohibits COVID-19 vaccine mandates by any "entity," including employers.
What he's saying: “If you work for me, I require my employees to be vaccinated, unless there's a doctor's reason where they can't be. Like you — I don't want my kids to be at risk," Cuban said on an episode of the podcast "10 Questions with Kyle Brandt."
- “It is your choice, it is absolutely positively up to you," Cuban added. "But there's consequences that come with that."
The big picture: The NBA has no vaccine mandate, but localities across the country have ordinances that prevent unvaccinated athletes from participating in indoor activities.
- Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said that his entire coaching staff is vaccinated and estimated players are in the "90th-percentile" of being vaccinated, The Dallas Morning News reports.
- In September, the Mavericks updated their health and safety protocol that requires fans to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
The Dallas Mavericks open their season on Oct. 26 against the Houston Rockets.