The NFL is releasing their league-wide schedule on Thursday night, but California governor Gavin Newsom hinted the 2020 season might have to open without fans due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.
Newsom said he found it unlikely fans could return to stadiums until there is “immunity” or the development of a vaccine for COVID-19.
Gov. Newsom, on the day the NFL is set to announce its 2020 schedule: "It's difficult for me to imagine a stadium that's filled until we have immunity, until we have a vaccine." This is consistent with his previous remarks on this topic. (h/t: @BenFischerSBJ) pic.twitter.com/5lLyeZZmWL
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) May 7, 2020
As many reporters and owners have indicated, sports as a whole are at the mercy of the pandemic.
But sports are also at the mercy of local governments and governors such as Newsom.
Governors arguably have the largest influence on whether sporting events can return to major cities within their respective states, and there is quite a bit of variance in terms of the leeway some state officials appears willing to give versus others.
Newsom does not seem convinced the pandemic will have been curbed enough to allow fans back in the stadiums by September, when the NFL season is set to begin. This is especially tough news for the Los Angeles Rams, who are opening a new venue (SoFi Stadium) in Inglewood, CA.
Both MLB and the NBA have discussed potential plans to begin or resume their seasons without fans in the seats, but the NFL has yet to address that possibility.
Commissioner Roger Goodell continues to insist play will begin on time, but the absence of organized team activities (OTAs) and the unknowns surrounding training camp loom large in terms of the NFL's current timeline.
Thus, on the day the NFL released its schedule, it seems increasingly likely they will eventually have to make adjustments to that schedule, particularly if they want fans in the seats.
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