Report: Concern escalating in NBA that drastic coronavirus steps are coming
Concerns are rising among NBA owners and executives that drastic steps to combat the coronavirus outbreak could be coming for the league, including games being played with only essential personnel in arenas, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The league has required teams to prepare plans for such an event, Wojnarowski reports.
The NBA has set a Wednesday conference call for team owners and governors to discuss the matter, league sources told Wojnarowski and ESPN's Zach Lowe.
On Saturday, it was reported a Monday conference call was scheduled for team doctors and trainers, and the goal is that every franchise will have access to an infectious-disease specialist and form an arena staffing plan by Tuesday.
Over the weekend, the NHL closed its locker rooms to media as a preventative step against the spread of the coronavirus. Late Sunday, tennis officials canceled the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. That all followed decisions in Europe to play soccer games in empty stadiums and limit crowds at public gatherings.
Conversely, NCAA basketball executive Dan Gavitt said Sunday there are presently no plans to play March Madness games without spectators.