Fauci says sports can return if teams are quarantined, stadiums are empty.

[WarPanthers89]

Dr. Anthony Fauci believes American sports can return sooner than some are expecting, but only if strict protocols are in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Fauci said in a Snapchat interview that sports can happen in empty stadiums and with teams quarantined in hotels, rather than having players out and about in public where they might be exposed to the virus, or spreading it to others if they’ve unknowingly been exposed.

“There’s a way of doing that,” Fauci said. “Nobody comes to the stadium. Put them in big hotels, wherever you want to play . . . have them tested every week and make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family and just let them play the season out.”

Fauci said he’s sympathetic to the strong desire in America to see sports again, and that he’s a fan himself.

“I want to see them play again,” he said.

It would be asking a lot of players, coaches and other league staffers to quarantine in a hotel for an entire season, but they may be willing to do it if the alternative is canceling an entire season and losing their entire salaries. The details will need to be worked out, and the NFL will have the advantage of seeing how the NBA, MLB and NHL handle it before making any decisions at the start of football season. But Fauci sounded optimistic that sports will return this year.
 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/04/15/fauci-says-sports-can-return-if-teams-are-quarantined-stadiums-are-empty/

[WarPanthers89]

It’s going to be very odd if we have football games without fans. 

[Khyber53]

If that's the way it's got to be, then that's how it has to go.

[45catfan]

I think it is feasible, especially for the NFL.  If OTAs are cancelled, not the biggest deal.  Even if training camp is abbreviated, the season could still start on time or at the very least be pushed back a few weeks.

[45catfan]

1 minute ago, WarPanthers89 said:

It’s going to be very odd if we have football games without fans. 

The biggest loser are the teams themselves missing out on that game day revenue.  Not many fans will want to pay for season tickets after this mess anyhow.  I know I don't.

[WarPanthers89]

7 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

The biggest loser are the teams themselves missing out on that game day revenue.  Not many fans will want to pay for season tickets after this mess anyhow.  I know I don't.

Hopefully it’s not as awkward as wrestling.

 

[antiseptic]

Prepare for the Pay Per View model if/when this happens.

[Snake]

I'm over this dudes wishy washy suggestions. Next week he could come out and say no sports till January 2023 or we will be fully open by October. His big huge plan is to develop herd immunity slowly and trash everything we love while doing that. 

[Pejorative Miscreant]

TV revenue is pretty substantial plus’s it’s better than no revenue at all.  My only wish is that each team gives a kickback to stadium personnel that will be hurt by this

[Snake]

Just now, antiseptic said:

Prepare for the Pay Per View model if/when this happens.

You do understand they make more money on national television right? 

[45catfan]

10 minutes ago, WarPanthers89 said:

Hopefully it’s not as awkward as wrestling.

 

The key difference is wrestling is very dependent on fan interaction. Fans can't down out pre-snap communication by the visiting offense (typically just on 3rd downs) if this happens.  Honestly the only fan interaction that makes any real difference in football.  

[WarPanthers89]

 

3 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

The key difference is wrestling is very dependent on fan interaction. Fans can't down out pre-snap communication by the visiting offense (typically just on 3rd downs) if this happens.  Honestly the only fan interaction that makes any real difference in football.  

Idk home field advantage can be huge. See Seattle and even the Saints

[antiseptic]

15 minutes ago, Snake said:

You do understand they make more money on national television right? 

For games, yes. Obviously.

I'm talking about ways in which they can recoup ticket/concession revenues.

"Insider" shows and stuff like that will pop up offering exclusive content.

[45catfan]

1 minute ago, WarPanthers89 said:

 

Idk home field advantage can be huge. See Seattle and even the Saints

Ok, so every game will be like a neutral site.  I can handle that.