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The NBA is targeting “late July” for restarting the season, and has begun negotiations to host the restart in Orlando. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass announced that the league has begun conversations with Disney about restarting the season at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
“The NBA, in conjunction with the National Basketball Players Association, is engaged in exploratory conversations with The Walt Disney Company about restarting the 2019-20 NBA season in late July at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida as a single site for an NBA campus for games, practices and housing,” Bass said. “Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all involved, and we are working with public health experts and government officials on a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure that appropriate medical protocols and protections are in place.”
ESPN had previously reported players were going to be called back to workout facilities starting June 1st. Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry said late this week that he expected a return to competitive games in 6-to-8 weeks, with basketball in Orlando and/or Las Vegas. Lasry also said there would be a Board of Governors meeting next Friday for further discussion on the issues.
Shelburne is reporting the recall of players would include a two-week recall to team marketplaces for a quarantine period before returning to practice. She said the plan would include one to two weeks of individual workouts at team facilities and a two-to-three week formal training camp.