A dramatic rise in positive COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma led the Thunder to reverse courseNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The Thunder's plan for "reduced seating at home games" this upcoming season "has been put on hold," according to Joe Mussatto of the OKLAHOMAN. The Thunder and ASM Global, the company which manages Chesapeake Energy Arena, announced a plan in early November to "allow a limited number of fans at home games this season." But as the start to the season "draws closer, the Thunder has joined almost every other NBA team in not allowing fans to attend games" (OKLAHOMAN, 12/1). ESPN.com's Royce Young noted the decision to reverse course comes as Oklahoma has "seen a dramatic rise in positive COVID-19 cases" in recent weeks (ESPN.com, 11/30). Meanwhile, in Charlotte, Rick Bonnell notes the Hornets have "no immediate plans to host fans at home games when the NBA season commences Dec. 22." But the team hopes COVID-19 circumstances "will change in the coming months, allowing at least some limited attendance at Spectrum Center" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/1).
FUNDAMENTAL DECISION: Thunder Exec VP & GM Sam Presti said team Chair Clay Bennett has "amassed an amazing amount of unique experiences in a short amount of time as a team owner." He added, "Those dynamic experiences, plus his understanding of the CBA, then operating a team in a small market, and his decades of business experience make it a rather fundamental decision when you consider the alternatives. He's well versed in the system we currently operate within, and shares the understanding of the path required to meet our aspirations for long-term sustainable success. Neither of us want to lower our long-term goals for the team or the city in order to adjust the path, and we don't think the system is likely to change, so the decision, as I said, is fundamental for us" (OKLAHOMAN, 12/1).
