It is finally time that sports leagues across the country, and the world, are beginning to plan their returns to the field. This also comes with a lot of changes and safety measures to ensure the safety of the athletes.
Not all leagues have a plan and return date yet, but some do. Here is a look at the top leagues and where they stand on a return.
NBA
Professional basketball is set to go on July 30 at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Teams will be playing eight remaining regular-season games before the playoffs begin.
From NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, “We are hopeful of finishing the season in a safe and responsible manner based on strict protocols now being finalized with public health officials and medical experts.”
The public will not be allowed to attend any of the games, which will be different to watch for NBA fans.
Some of the players still have doubts about the plan in Orlando. This group includes Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers, who has yet to commit to going.
“I’m still up in the air a little bit because I really don’t; we don’t have all the details,” Anthony told Ernie Johnson on his Twitter show.
MLB
The return of Major League Baseball is still unclear. Every day that passes means there is less time for the players and the owners to make a deal.
Most every other league has debated on coming back because of the health risks and concerns. However, most of the MLB issues revolve around the money.
“It’s frustrating to have a public labor dispute when there’s so much hardship,” Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle said on Twitter. “I hate it. But we have an obligation to future players to do right by them. We want to play. We also have to make sure that future players won’t be paying for any concessions we make.”
NFL
The coronavirus has yet to interfere with the NFL schedule, but there is a possibility that it will. Debates resume on whether or not it will be safe for fans to attend games in the fall.
There are also several owners who want to move the season back.
“Moving the season back is one option that I know some teams support,” says Albert Breer, senior NFL reporter for Sports Illustrated’s MMQB. “It would allow for the NFL to observe how other leagues start back up, watch them do things right and wrong, and buy more time for all this stuff. But the league office hasn’t been receptive at all to the idea at this point.”
NHL
The NHL has released somewhat of a plan and is expected to have the 2020 playoffs. But the exact start date for that is still uncertain. The league is also expected to resume play in two “hub” cities, and those have not been decided.
“Although we’re anxious to get back on the ice, we won’t do anything until we’re assured by medical professionals and relevant government authorities that it’s safe and prudent to do so,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.