The NBA is trying to find a way to cancel the rest of its season because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report.
“It is clear that the NBA is angling to set up a deal that enables them to shut the season down,” Brian Windhorst, an ESPN analyst, said Friday. “They don’t have to do that yet. The way they’re negotiating, they’re leaving an option either way. But they’re not having talks about how to restart the league. They’re having financial talks about what would happen if the season shuts down. I think there’s a significant amount of pessimism.”
The NBA suspended its season in early March after a player tested positive for the coronavirus. The league was reportedly considering earlier this week for the potential of having the playoffs at one site without fans.
“Las Vegas has been a destination that has been discussed, built around the idea of literally perhaps using a casino, playing games in potentially a ballroom with courts. There’s lots of different scenarios,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said.
“Las Vegas has been a destination that has been discussed, built around the idea of literally perhaps using a casino, playing games in potentially a ballroom with courts. There’s lots of different scenarios …”
—@wojespn on how the NBA may try to make its initial return pic.twitter.com/KfFg6Nb8CU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 31, 2020
“I think there was optimism about progress a week ago,” Windhorst said about potential plans. “Some things that have happened this week have turned it south about what could happen.”
The potential to quarantine players and go only to a trimmed-down playoff run would be difficult given the number of trainers, coaches, camera operators, and players who would need to be tested and kept isolated.
Windhorst mentioned the Chinese Basketball Association, which has had trouble restarting its season after the Chinese government put restrictions on sports. “China’s attempt to restart sports are being watched closely by leagues across the world. Huge issue is asymptomatic carriers,” he said.
