An anonymous NBA player suggested there’s a “95% chance” players will compete in fan-less arenas by Thursday, according to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report.
The league is slated to meet with representatives of all 30 teams to examine the best course of action moving forward, considering the NBA and three other major sports leagues (MLB, NHL, MLS) have already taken some measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Playing in empty stadiums is already happening across the world, none more prominent than a soccer game between Valencia and Atalanta that included four goals from Josip Ilicic to a dead-quiet stadium. Concerns of the spread of this virus have already affected one of the most lucrative sporting leagues in the UEFA Champions League.
The NBA and other major leagues have already limited media access in locker rooms, dugouts, and other points of concentration in which the virus could pass on to others. The league is expected to come up with an immediate plan to minimize the possibility of the spread of the virus, as well as last-resort scenarios that may play out.
Playing regular-season games without fans is one of the choices among them, and if there really is a 95% chance games will be played without fans this fast, it means this virus is greatly concerning the league.
The NBA Board of Governors has considered some less extreme options recently, like playing games in non-outbreak cities or moving them to neutral sites for their completion.
Teams around the league have been hesitant to eliminate fans from their games. The Golden State Warriors gross between $3.6 million and $3.8 million per game in ticket sales alone, making closed-door games a major financial loss for the franchise.
The possibility of canceling games is also out there, but that would likely be part of a doomsday scenario.
Wednesday’s conference call between the 30 reps and the league should say a lot about what should be expected down the road as the league faces this unfortunate reality.
Follow Us
Subscribe