We’re starting to see other professional sports leagues in North America recognize just how well the Walt Disney World bubble has worked for the NBA.
It’s not a surprise given that the 2019-20 season has resumed without a hitch amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We now have some more good news on this front.
NBA reports zero positive COVID-19 tests over the past week
That’s now four consecutive weeks without a positive test within the bubble in Orlando. It goes without saying, that closing themselves off from the general public has worked well for the NBA, its teams and the players.
Now that the 2020 NBA Playoffs have started and with the NBA Finals slated to begin in less than two months, it’s looking more and more like the season will be completed without any further problems. From a financial perspective, that’s tremendous news for the Association.
It could also be a harbinger of things to come for other leagues.
MLB and NFL considering playing postseason in bubble cities
Given the widespread outbreaks of the virus we’ve seen within multiple clubhouses around the Major League Baseball world, it makes sense for the league to consider playing the postseason in a bubble. As of right now, no attendance is allowed for games. That seems to suggest teams wouldn’t have an issue with the playoffs being in a bubble.
As for the NFL, it was reported earlier on Wednesday that the league is seriously considering moving to a bubble-like atmosphere for the expanded playoff format in 2020. While the NFL has had positive news surrounding the pandemic, this would be a way for the league to come close to guaranteeing that the 2020 season is completed.
The NBA is also looking at the possibility of at least starting next season in four bubble cities — Orlando, Las Vegas, Dallas and Texas. If the league believes that a vaccine for COVID-19 is imminent, it could also push back the start of the 2020-21 campaign until January with the expectation that fans will be able to attend games.
For now, the recent round of tests around the NBA world has to be seen as yet another positive.