Philly Officials Walk Back Decision Banning Fans At Eagles Games

The possibility of fans at Eagles' games this fall is dependent on the city easing its social distancing rulesGETTY IMAGES

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney's administration is "clarifying guidance" it offered on Tuesday which prohibited fans from attending professional sporting events, "opening the door to the Eagles playing before fans this fall a day after saying that would be illegal under the city’s emergency rules," according to Sean Collins Walsh of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. In any case, the possibility of fans attending Eagles' games this fall is "dependent on the city easing its social distancing rules before or during the season, a scenario seen as increasingly unlikely as coronavirus cases spike across the country." Kenney's spokesperson Deana Gamble clarified that it is "possible that the city changes its rules before or during the season." She said that if there "were a game tomorrow, however, spectators would not be allowed under current rules." Gamble said that the clarification was "issued in response to 'questions from the public' about administration officials’ comments." She "declined to say whether the statement was made in response to a request by the Eagles" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/16). 

AS YOU WERE: In Philadelphia, Mike Sielski writes Tuesday's fan prohibition was "surely news to the Eagles." Just last week, the franchise "sent an email to its season-ticket holders telling them that they could opt out of paying for their seats this year and still hold on to those seats for the 2021 season." SielskI: "So why the confusion? Because the veneer of competency and control is vital to any large institution, and in the absence of those qualities, it’s better to project them than acknowledge you lack them. Our political leaders can be particularly brazen in this regard, but they’re not the only ones who rely on such sleight-of-hand" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/16). 

BRONCOS, PANTHERS LIMIT CAPACITY: In Colorado Springs, Paul Klee reports Empower Field at Mile High will have a "reduced seating capacity for the 2020 season in response to the coronavirus pandemic." The Broncos also said that masks and social distancing "will be mandatory." The team so far is "uncertain how many fans will be allowed to attend home games." Klee writes while it is "hardly a surprise, the decision to limit attendance is sure to garner some eye rolls one month after roughly 75 members of the organization joined thousands of protesters in a Black Lives Matter march." Broncos season-ticket holders have the "option of receiving a full refund for the 2020 season (while maintaining their rights to the same seats for 2021) or a credit for next year" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 7/16). The Panthers' ticket office on today shared its updated plans for the '20 season with PSL owners via email, including plans for reduced seating capacity. PSL holders can opt in to using tickets in '20 or to opt out without penalty, with the option to carry credit over to '21 or receive a full refund (Panthers).

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