Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving warms up before a game against the Grizzlies on Wednesday in Memphis, Tenn. (AP photo)

Several public employees unions whose members were fired for refusing the shots blasted Mayor Eric Adams for apparently lifting the rule only for wealthy and famous athletes. Adams dismissed the criticism, saying exemptions for athletes and performers were important to the city’s economic recovery.

The exemption is effective immediately. One of the first beneficiaries will be Irving, a vaccine holdout who was allowed to rejoin the Nets in January but only when they played out of town games. The Nets need him as they push for a playoff spot with nine games left in their regular season.

Adams’ predecessor, Mayor Bill de Blasio, made vaccination mandatory as a workplace safety rule last year before he left office but created a loophole exempting players and performers who aren’t based in New York City. Adams said he felt that was unfair.

“Players attract people to the stadium,” Adams remarked as he announced the change during a news conference at Citi Field, where the Mets play. Accompanying him were Mets President Sandy Alderson and Yankees president Randy Levine, both of whom praised the decision.

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, right, who is not permitted to play games in New York because he's unvaccinated for COVID-19, drives against Magic guard R.J. Hampton on March 15 in Orlando, Fla. (AP photo)

“By putting our home teams on (an) equal playing field, we increase their chances of winning and that has a real impact on our city,” he said.

Public employees unions weren’t buying that.

“There can’t be one system for the elite and another for the essential workers of our city,” said Harry Nespoli, chair of the Municipal Labor Committee, an umbrella group of unions that together represent about 350,000 city workers.

The city last month fired more than 1,400 workers who failed to comply with the vaccine mandate. Adams said Thursday that he had no plans at this time to rehire those workers.

The NBA and the players union issued a joint statement praising Adams’ decision.

“We applaud the mayor for listening to the concerns of our New York teams, players, fans and communities and for leveling the playing field for home teams and their opponents,” the statement said.