The NBA has made one of its first official announcements regarding the return to play after weeks of rumors and speculation.
The league issued a statement announcing game play at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. is being considered and would begin in late July if approved.
The statement read:
“The NBA, in conjunction with the National Basketball Players Association, is engaged in exploratory conversations with The Walt Disney Company about restarting the 2019-20 NBA season in late July at Disney’s ESPN wide World of Sports Complex in Florida as a single site for an NBA campus for games, practices and housing.
Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all involved, and we are working with public health experts and government officials on a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure that appropriate medical protocols and protections are in place.”
The following is a statement from NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass: pic.twitter.com/8gfK5iVXs8
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2020
While this discussion does not give certainty that anything will happen, the fact that the NBA announced it officially shows that talks are serious.
Questions remain about not just keeping players protected from the coronavirus both while playing and in environments off the court, but also the safety of coaching staffs — many of which have older coaches and trainers — referees and officials, along with how to handle media availability.
Additionally, whether the regular season would resume or the league would jump straight into the playoffs has yet to be announced.
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