NFL Has Contingency Plan In Response To COVID-19 Includes Shortened Season And Empty Stadiums

The NFL is hoping to start it’s 2020 NFL season as scheduled in September but like every other major sports league, contingency plans need to be in place due to the uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic.

While the NFL is planning releasing it’s 2020 schedule on May 9th, the league reportedly has plans in place should it be needed, which include “a potentially shortened schedule” and holding games in “empty or partially filled stadiums, and moving or rescheduling games if necessary.”

Per the report:

“I don’t know if it’ll be a one-third-filled stadium, a half-filled stadium or whatever,” a person familiar with the league’s planning told the newspaper on Wednesday. “The NFL is planning for everything from playing without fans to playing in full stadiums. We know there will be a push from the [federal] government to open things up.”

“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 issued to the Post. “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.”

Many governors including California’s Gavin Newsom have stated that they don’t see a scenario where games could be played in his state with filled stadiums or arenas.

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