The NBA is ready to get live sports back and is talking to Disney for assistance.
The league has entered into exploratory conversations with The Walt Disney Company to resume its season. However, they are looking at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is 220 acres with three arenas and ample hotel accommodations.
The NBA suspended its season indefinitely on March 11, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. According to reports, the plan is to restart in late July.
“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. This as a single site for an NBA campus for games, practices and housing,” Bass said.
“Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all involved. We are working with public health experts and government officials on a comprehensive set of guidelines; ensuring that appropriate medical protocols and protections are in place.”
However, it’s not clear if the NBA will restart the regular season or proceed directly to the playoffs.
Florida Loves Sports
The venue would allow the league to restart play while limiting outside exposure. The UFC was allowed to resume operations in Jacksonville, Florida signaling the Sunshine State as the new home for sports.
Teams are expecting the league to instruct them to start recalling players to their markets around June 1.
The NBA is looking at a step-by-step plan, including a two-week recall of players into team marketplaces for quarantine. There will then be one to two weeks of individual workouts at team facilities followed by two-to-three-weeks of training camp.
Many NBA owners, executives and executives of the NBPA believe commissioner Adam Silver is on board for June. Games are expected to resume sometime before the end of July.
