The Saints in a worst-case scenario could potentially play in front of fewer than 13,000 fansGETTY IMAGES
Officials in charge of operating the Mercedes-Benz Superdome are "considering a series of changes to manage fan safety amid the coronavirus pandemic, including what could be a sharp drop in the number of people able to cheer in person," according to Amie Just of NOLA.com. The ASM Global officials said that they are "currently modeling multiple contingency plans should the NFL mandate social distancing for fans," and while nothing is final, scenarios now under review "would fill the Superdome between 17% and 50% of its typical 75,000-seat capacity." ASM Global Exec VP Doug Thornton said that in a worst-case scenario, the Saints "could potentially play in front of fewer than 13,000 fans." But he noted that preparations were "already underway to find creative seating arrangements or other avenues to avoid such a steep drop." Just noted the Saints are operating under the presumption that the stadium "will be full of fans by the time the season starts" (NOLA.com, 5/28).
