More than four months away from what would ordinarily be Week 1, the NFL has used a stay-the-course approach as its party line. But behind the scenes, the league has begun to prepare for major changes.
The NFL has begun discussions of major contingency plans — including one that features a shortened season and others that involve some or no fans at stadiums — because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports. This certainly makes sense, despite the league’s public stance thus far.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he believes sports can return in 2020 — but without fans at venues. California Gov. Gavin Newsom did not sound optimistic this week regarding fans trekking to California stadiums this year, and Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday during a CNN interview he does not anticipate games to be played in the city until 2021 (video link). The NFL will not reopen facilities until stay-at-home orders have been lifted nationwide.
While the NBA and Major League Baseball must make their decisions first, the NFL is going with a virtual draft and has all but committed to a fully virtual offseason. The next steps pertain to training camp, the preseason and the regular season. The NFL hopes widespread coronavirus testing will be available by the fall, Maske adds.
“I don’t know if it’ll be a one-third-filled stadium, a half-filled stadium or whatever,” a league source told Maske. “The NFL is planning for everything from playing without fans to playing with full stadiums. We know there will be a push from the [federal] government to open things up. I think we’re going to have fans in the stands.”
No NFL season has been shortened since 1987, when a players’ strike eliminated one game. In 1982, a strike wiped out seven contests and led to an amended playoff bracket. The league is planning to release this season’s schedule May 9 — later than usual — but Maske notes it is preparing a more flexible schedule for the 2020 season.
“As we have said, we are committed to protecting the health of our fans, players, club and league personnel, and communities,” the NFL said in a statement. “We look forward to the 2020 NFL season, and our guidelines and decisions will be guided by the latest advice from medical and public health officials, as well as current and future government regulations. We will continue to plan for the season and will be prepared to adjust as necessary, just as we have done with free agency, the draft, and now the offseason program.”
They better examine blackout rules and broadcast agreements. I don’t want to miss any games…
Even if the season is a no go broadcasts of classic games from the past are available to fans.