Across sports, players being vaccinated is a major topic as some teams, such as the New Orleans Saints, have already had COVID outbreaks.
Due to union rules in sports, leagues cannot force mandatory vaccinations on players, leaving it up to players to get vaccinated. The NFL is reportedly at 93% when it comes to players vaccinated while the NHL expects a 98% vaccination rate by the time the season starts.
For AEW, Tony Khan says most of the roster is vaccinated but didn't give a percentage.
"Most of the roster has gotten (vaccinated) and we have encouraged people to do so," Khan told Bloomberg Business of Sports when asked about AEW having mandatory vaccination. "I haven't put in mandatory, but I've also strongly encouraged and put in protocols to encourage everyone to do so because it's much easier for the vaccinated folks to get through the day and interact outside of the ring. They just have to go through less rigorous procedures and testing. We've definitely encouraged everyone to do it. Most of our people are."
When asked if there was incentive for wrestlers to get vaccinated, Khan replied, "We have created a great backstage environment where people want to spend time together. We've also put in thorough testing protocols. Not being a part of the most rigorous levels of testing and also having the ability to go out and do what you want and live your life like we did before without these protocols makes it much more savory and encouraging for the vaccinated."
AEW has kept up testing throughout the pandemic as they ran shows out of Daily's Place in Jacksonville, FL.
AEW stars participating in the Cruise Jericho Cruise in October will be required to show proof of vaccination in order to board.
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