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ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski thinks the NBA “probably” won't have fans at games if the 2019-20 season starts back up.
The NBA suspended the campaign last Wednesday after Utah Jazz starting center and All-Star Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus.
As transcribed by Real GM:
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“The league, more than gate receipts ultimately, it's getting the games on television,” Wojnarowski said of the NBA. “Whether it's the regional networks and then the national deals that Turner, ESPN… Getting games in the postseason on TV and to that end, knowing that it is ‘likely', ‘possible', ‘certain', wherever you want to fall on it, that if the games resume, they will ‘probably' do so without fans in the arena, at least initially.
“The league is open to not having these games in arenas, whether it's a Staples Center or Barclays in Brooklyn or Oklahoma City. Wherever traditional arenas their teams play in. They're looking at the practice facilities or the G League facilities where you wouldn't have the backdrop of a cavernous empty arena on television. And it would be an environment where the TV sight-lines might be better. They can do some creative things in that way.”
Could you imagine watching LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo on your TV while the two MVPs are dominating in a practice facility? It would be like watching the old Orlando Summer League days except with real NBA stars playing.
The NBA won't resume probably until June or July, if at all. On Sunday, the CDC said it is recommending no crowds of 50 or more people for the next two months.
As it stands, Giannis' Milwaukee Bucks have the best record in the NBA at 53-12. However, it is worth nothing that Milwaukee lost three in a row before the league entered a hiatus.
