Dallas Mavericks owner and businessman Mark Cuban called for the NBA to resume shortly in order to provide viewers with a distraction from the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The outbreak has affected millions and also infected thousands along with many who may not know they're carrying the virus.

Cuban has covered the salary of arena staff along with raising funds for communities affected by the coronavirus, The Mavs owner appeared via phone on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on FS1. He appeared to support returning to basketball so those homebound can watch the great game.

“Sports [are] so important to us right now. We need something to cheer for. We need something to get excited about … we want something to root for.

“And if the NBA can lead the charge, I know that's important to us, and hopefully we can.”

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Besides calling for the NBA to continue without fans in the stands, Cuban also likened the emptiness of cities during self-quarantining to 1971 Universal Pictures science-fiction film “The Andromeda Strain.” The film is based on the Michael Crichton best-selling novel. The story depicts U.S. scientists investigating a strange and alien disease that wiped out an entire New Mexico town.

Cuban imagined a way for the NBA to operate by rigorously disinfecting players, coaches, and officials so games could resume.

At this point it looks unlikely for the NBA to resume in another month due to the highly contagious spread of coronavirus. The virus first made an appearance when Utah Jazz All-Star teammates Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive. They, along with another diagnosed-positive athlete, Detroit Pistons power forward Christian Wood, were cleared of the virus this week.