The NFL previously had appeared content to stick to its public stance of an undisturbed '20 seasonGETTY IMAGES
The NFL has been "contemplating contingencies that include a potentially shortened schedule, holding games in empty or partially filled stadiums, and moving or rescheduling games if necessary," according to sources cited by Maske & Sheinin of the WASHINGTON POST. A source said, "I don't know if it'll be a one-third-filled stadium, a half-filled stadium or whatever. ... We know there will be a push from the (federal) government to open things up." Maske & Sheinin note until yesterday's revelations, the NFL had "appeared content to stick to its public stance of an undisturbed 2020 season while quietly considering other scenarios and allowing the other leagues -- with seasons currently on hiatus -- to show the way forward." But now even the NFL's "deliberations on readying for the possibility of a disruption to its schedule are coming into view." However, a source made the point that "the other leagues have to go first" in formulating a plan to resume their seasons. Another source said the NFL is "obviously going to be looking at what the other leagues do." But they added that the "contingency-planning so far has taken place at the league level without progressing to the decision-making stage involving the owners of the 32 teams." The source said that it "might eventually become necessary to consider moving games or adjusting the schedule if games cannot be played in certain cities at certain points during the season" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/16).
BENEFIT OF HAVING TIME: ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports the NFL remains "definitely planning and hoping to start on time and play a full season in front of fans in their regular stadiums.” While no one "knows yet what the world is going to look like in five months when the NFL season is supposed to start," the league is "hopeful that the five months will be enough for them to start as planned." However, they "have to at least address the possibility that it won’t.” Graziano: “The NFL has the benefit here of time. ... They will be able to talk to and watch the other leagues” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 4/15).
