NFL teams are being told the league will prohibit off-site training camps this summer due to the pandemic. The precise rationale is not fully known, but the COVID-19 prevention protocols associated with returning to NFL facilities are complex, and implementing those at locations used for less than six weeks would be costly. Also, staying at home facilities will minimize travel. Twenty-one years ago, 28 out of 31 teams left their home markets for camp, but only nine were planning on leaving this year (Ben Fischer, SBJ Unpacks). ESPN.com's David Newton reported teams also will "not be allowed to hold joint training camp practices with other teams" (ESPN.com, 6/2).
The Panthers have held training camp at Wofford every year since their first season in '95GETTY IMAGES
BACK TO THE LAIR: In Charlotte, Alaina Getzenberg notes the Panthers had held camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., every year since the team’s first season in '95 and "recently extended that contract." Moving training camp to Charlotte means that it is "increasingly unlikely fans will be in attendance." Once the Panthers’ new facility in Rock Hill, S.C., is opened (expected for Summer '22), training camp will "move there on a permanent basis" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/3).
STAR-GAZING: In Dallas, David Moore cites sources as saying that the Cowboys "will train for the upcoming season" at The Star in Frisco after training in Oxnard, Calif., in recent years. This is the "last year of the current deal between Oxnard and the Cowboys, but Oxnard City Manager Alex Nguyen said that the two parties 'are in negotiations for a three-year extension'” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/3).
IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL...: In Richmond, Michael Phillips notes with the move, it "appears unlikely fans will be invited to attend the camp, which made traveling to Richmond impractical for the team." The Redskins did so as a "way to reach fans outside the DC market." One year "remains on the original 8-year contract that brought training camp to the city." It was "not immediately clear what would happen to that year" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 6/3).
CIRCLING THE WAGONS: The Bills had held their training camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y., since '00. Now, the Bills will "have camp at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park, meaning there likely will not be fans, given the constraints of the space around the fields" (BUFFALO NEWS, 6/3). There has been "speculation that once the contract runs out with Fisher in 2022, the Bills won’t renew and will hold camp at home.” This year will “serve as a trial run for that inevitability" (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 6/3).
OTHER TEAM SITUATIONS:
- The Steelers will have camp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex after training at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., every year since '66 (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/3).
- The Chiefs will be "using their practice facility at the Truman Sports Complex for camp for the first time" (K.C. STAR, 6/3).
- The Raiders will be "holding their camp" in Henderson, Nev., instead of Napa as in the past (NAPA VALLEY REGISTER, 6/3).
