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The NBA is reportedly bracing for the losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars across the sport due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to Zach Lowe and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Golden State Warriors are the first team to host a game in an empty arena and more could follow:
The NBA is exploring solutions to allow them to continue playing and televising games during the coronavirus crisis, even with it increasingly likely that the league will do so in empty arenas, sources said. The NBA is bracing for the losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars across the sport, sources said.
Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts believes the loss of revenue will be in the tens of millions if more games are held without fans.
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The NBA is planning to limit locker room access to only player and essential team personnel in response to the coronavirus. Teams will create a six to eight foot distance between players and media in availability sessions outside locker rooms.
The NBA has already sent multiple memos to teams to prepare contingency plans in case they need to play games without fans in attendance due to the ongoing coronavirus. Teams have also been asked to identify “essential staff” to be present for such games if the need arises.
Soccer and basketball games in Europe have been played without fans in recent weeks.
Among the NBA’s short-term recommendations to teams in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, players should utilize fist-bumps over high-fives with fans and avoid taking items such as pens, balls and jerseys to autograph.
Furthermore, there are larger concerns being addressed in NBA front offices and the league office. The possibility that pre-draft combines, on-site workouts and international scouting events could become more limited in scope are a possibility.
