A return to sports would be great, when that happens remains to be seen.
In the meanwhile, without games, the business of sports has taken a lead role.
The NFL just hosted it’s first-ever virtual draft. Players, head coaches and general managers were forced to stay in their homes with cameras on the scene for the large majority of the first round.
Most of us would be knee-deep by now in conversation about the NBA Playoffs. Commissioner Adam Silver instead has his hands full preparing his league for the possibility of playing games with no fans in arenas – through next season. And that’s just a small portion of the pie he’s currently working with.
This is the new reality brought on by Covid-19. The unknown has always been our biggest hurdle, now more than ever.
Because no one knows when it will be safe to play games again. And no knows for sure when fans will be able to attend games again.
“Safety for the players and for the fans, trumps everything,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said in an interview with the New York Times. “If you can’t guarantee safety, then unfortunately you’re going to have to bite the bullet and say, ‘We may have to go without this sport for this season.'”
Dr. Fauci is the country’s top medical expert on the coronavirus pandemic and a member of President Donald Trump’s Covid-19 task force. He’s also beginning a “modified quarantine” after making “low-risk” contact with a White House staffer who recently tested positive.
The fact of the matter is when it’s Fauci’s time to speak at a press briefing, everyone’s listening with the hope of hearing the truth about this situation.
And now even he must stay at home and telework, for 14 days, while wearing a mask.
Maintaining optimism sports will be played again, sooner than later, was already asking a lot of our nation. Now factor in a leading medical expert having to put himself on the bench during crunch time.
Dr. Fauci’s “modified quarantine” is precautionary. However, it also serves as a strong reminder of the impact this pandemic continues to have on all of us. No one is immune to this.
So, when it comes to sports, the only game we’re playing these days– is the waiting game.
And while we’re all waiting, the business of sports goes on — fueled by hope
Hope is really all we have right now. The feeling and desire for a certain thing to happen.
It’s why Silver and the NBA are still weighing pros and cons of resuming their season.
It’s why the NFL followed-up a successful virtual draft with the release of their 2020 regular season schedule.
Major League Baseball is preparing a blueprint for what their 2020 season potentially could look like. That’s provided the league and players’ union are able to agree on the financial points of the plan.
This is a time where the narrative is mostly grim. Maintaining optimism helps provide peace of mind.
But there should still be a concrete plan which follows and doesn’t leave people feeling as if blind optimism is running the point position.
I’m not in support of games being played again until there’s a plan implemented for testing and a vaccine. That plan should cover all parties involved – players, staff, the venue, and the fans. It should have the full backing of medical experts.
The hope of playing games again isn’t false. And selling that hope to fans isn’t wrong.
It’s part of the current reality preparing us for a new normal.
And long as that new normal is backed by numbers to support it, there’s room for hope.
