NBA approves coronavirus season restart plan, sets July 31 date with 22-team format
NBA suspended play in mid-March as the pandemic worsened.
The NBA’s board of governors voted Thursday to approve a plan to return to play on July 31 following a lengthy pause in the 2019-20 season related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The league’s 30 team owners approved the plan by a 29-1 vote, ESPN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The plan calls for a 22-team format, with all games played at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida.
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“The Board’s approval of the restart format is a necessary step toward resuming the NBA season,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “While the COVID-19 pandemic presents formidable challenges, we are hopeful of finishing the season in a safe and responsible manner based on strict protocols now being finalized with public health officials and medical experts."
"We also recognize that as we prepare to resume play, our society is reeling from recent tragedies of racial violence and injustice, and we will continue to work closely with our teams and players to use our collective resources and influence to address these issues in very real and concrete ways," Silver added.
The 22 teams will consist of 13 Western Conference franchises and nine Eastern Conference franchises. The participating teams will play eight regular-season games to determine seeding for the playoffs.
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The National Basketball Players Association will vote on the plan on Friday. Player representatives have been heavily involved in return-to-play talks and are expected to approve the format.
The NBA set an Aug. 25 date for its draft lottery and a Oct. 15 date for its 2020 amateur draft, according to ESPN.
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The NBA was the first U.S. pro sports league to suspend its season in mid-March after Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. The league will return with strict health and safety measures in place.