Many questions about the NBA 2019-20 season and the possibility of returning to the matches between the COVID-19 pandemic were answered by Mr. Adam Silver during an online meeting.
Unlike some of the other leagues trying to get back early or give up the whole season, the NBA is trying to get as much information as possible about COVID-19 before making any decisions.
The plan, discussed by Adam Silver during the meeting, is to organize the rest of the season in one or two fixed locations. The matches will take place without spectators with the top two options being Las Vegas in the West and Disney World Resort in the East.
After summing up, the remarkable points are pointed out by Mr. Silver and two prestigious journalists Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski as follows.
There is currently no official decision on whether to bring the season back or how it will be organized. Executives need to wait until June. If the 2019-20 season returns, the entire match will take place without an audience. Games will be held in one or two locations with Las Vegas and Disney World Resort, where Adam Silver mentioned. Several other locations are still under consideration.
If the season returns, the players will have to play without an audience
If the season takes place, NBA will need the ability to test on a large scale. Adam Silver said the tournament would need about 10,000 test kits. The supplies would need to be independent, avoiding affecting local medical facilities. If the season starts again, players will need at least 3 weeks of training camp before playing.
Currently, all 30 team owners are ready for the players to play the rest of the Regular Season. This is the response after some rumors that the teams who are out of the Playoffs race do not want to play anymore. However, the tournament does not rule out the possibility of going straight to the postseason.
The NBA wants to make it clear that the game will have fans only if the vaccine is successfully prepared and widely used.
With 40% of the revenue coming from spectators in the field, the NBA is suffering a heavy economic loss. This, coupled with a drop in TV revenue, the tournament wants to warn that players and proactive players will also suffer some losses. Not everyone is satisfied but this will be the general situation.