The NBA took another step toward a potential return on Wednesday with Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort emerging as the front runner to resume the 2019-’20 season. Even better news for basketball fans, the NBA might have a target date for a return.
While players and owners still have a lot of ground to cover, confidence is growing that the NBA will return. More than two months after the league suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a date to resume the season is emerging.
When will the NBA season resume?
While MLB is dealing with in-fighting between players and owners, the NBA and NBA Players Association are on the same page for a return. Now with a plan starting to take shape and overwhelming support from players, basketball fans might finally have a month to circle on their calendars.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick, the NBA is discussing bringing players back for full training at practice facilities in June. The league would give players at least three weeks to practice, with a mid-July return for the NBA season viewed as the most popular scenario.
The NBA is already preparing for a return without fans, which will deliver a significant blow to the league’s revenue, but resuming the season will help the league make up for some lost revenue.
Now that the NBA seems to have a site picked out, the NBA could focus on the remaining hurdles ahead. The league will need to secure at least 15,000 COVID-19 tests. The NBA must also create safety protocols for all players to help avoid another stoppage once a player tests positive for the coronavirus.
Finally, the wheels are in motion to start bringing basketball back. If the NBA can get the ball rolling quickly, bringing players back and getting them into practice facilities, we could be just a few months away from seeing live NBA games.