Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he was comfortable allowing an additional 6,000 fans at Browns gamesGETTY IMAGES
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine yesterday said that the state will "likely not increase the number of spectators allowed" at Browns or Bengals games beyond 12,000, according to Laura Hancock of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Ohio Department of Health interim Dir Lance Himes on Monday increased the number of spectators allowed at Browns games from 6,000 to up to 12,000. DeWine on that number said, "There’s no magic about 12,000, it just seemed to be the right place to come out." He continued, "Could it have been 13,000? Could it have been 11,000? Yeah. We kind of looked at that. We added 6,000, we felt very comfortable with doubling it." DeWine: "Part of this is an art, as well as a science. We try to go by the science, and the science is pretty basic" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/7).
STEELERS FANS CAN RETURN: In Pittsburgh, Chris Harlan reported the Steelers will allow fans at Heinz Field on Sunday for the first time this season, as the team yesterday announced "plans to admit 5,500 spectators into the stadium" against the Eagles following Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's easing of statewide restrictions on gathering limits. Wolf's new guidelines "link gathering sizes to a percentage of a facility's capacity." Outdoor venues with a capacity "greater than 10,000 can allow 15% of capacity with a maximum of 7,500." That gathering limit "counts players, coaches, staff and all other game-day workers as well, reducing the spectator total at Heinz Field to 5,500 fans." The Steelers "will select this week’s fans randomly by computer," with priority "given to season-ticket holders who did not opt-out this season" (TRIBLIVE.com, 10/6). Alco Parking GM Ralph Reetz said that "some lots -- mostly between PNC Park and Heinz Field -- will be accessible for fans attending games." One of the two parking garages in that area "may also be available." In Pittsburgh, Mike White reports fans "may arrive up to three hours before a game but are expected to head to the stadium or nearby North Shore restaurants once parked," because "no tailgating will be allowed" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/7).
PACKERS TAKE IT SLOW: The Packers announced that fans "will not be allowed into Lambeau Field" for their Nov. 1 game against the Vikings, or "until future notice, for that matter." The team yesterday said that the "level of COVID-19 cases in Brown County makes it unwise to allow people to gather, even in reduced numbers." The team earlier this year said that if fans were allowed in Lambeau Field, the number "would be capped at 12,000, but did not guarantee it would be that high." In Green Bay, Richard Ryman notes Wisconsin's outbreak of COVID-19 "stands as one of the worst in the nation." Packers President & CEO Mark Murphy said that the team "met with health officials last week." Murphy: "They were very strong we should not have fans" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 10/7).
NO VIKINGS FANS THIS MONTH: The Vikings yesterday announced that their next home game, Oct. 18 against the Falcons, "will be played without fans at U.S. Bank Stadium." In Minneapolis, Andrew Krammer notes the team's first two home games were also played without fans, "although the team plans to again host 250 family members of Vikings staffers to 'test our game day protocols' for the Falcons game." State guidelines "limit indoor gatherings to 250 people," which the Vikings first hosted for the Sept. 27 game against the Titans, to "give a dry run for entry and exit protocols, concessions, and seating plans." Possible attendance for the Vikings' Nov. 8 home game against the Lions, and the remaining four home games, has "not been announced" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/7).
