Steelers are offering fans refunds or credit towards '21 should games be canceled or fanlessGETTY IMAGES
As the Steelers' season-ticket renewal deadline approaches, the team is "working with ticket holders who are cautious about attending games because of the coronavirus pandemic," according to Joe Rutter of TRIBLIVE.com. The deadline to renew season tickets is June 1, "pushed back from an original May 1 deadline because of concerns about the outbreak." The Steelers "plan to adhere to the June 1 deadline, although the situation remains fluid while Pennsylvania goes through the three-tiered approach to reopening." The team is offering "refunds or credit towards 2021 games in the event games are canceled or 'played under conditions that prohibit fans from attending'" (TRIBLIVE.com, 5/28).
BRAVE NEW WORLD: In Pittsburgh, Chris Adamski wrote much "remains to be seen about the precise logistics of how an NFL season without fans would work." It is "possible games wouldn’t be played" at teams' home stadiums. It is "safe to say," though, that the "gameday atmosphere will be virtually unrecognizable." Steelers WR Diontae Johnson said, “It will be different if we have nobody in the stands. The game just won’t feel right. It will feel like another practice.” Adamski noted even Steelers practices "often involve a fan atmosphere." Typically, the team’s first 14-18 practices of training camp are "open to the public at Saint Vincent." For many of those workouts, a "couple thousand or more fans show up to Chuck Noll Field." In recent years, the team added an "annual 'FanFest' camp practice at Heinz Field that draws several times as many fans" (TRIBLIVE.com, 5/28).
