Euroleague still hopeful of finishing season in some fashion

There may not be any Euroleague games for Maccabi Tel Aviv and the other 17 clubs around the continent due to COVID-19, but there is still hope that the remaining-regular season contests, playoffs and Final Four will still take place.

The Euroleague was in touch with all of its clubs this week to try and give as much clarity as possible about the competition during these very uncertain times.

The Euroleague has been busy examining a number of scenarios to complete the 2019/20 season, but will only be able to be more concrete when there is more certainty as to when the situation will allow for the competitions to be resumed.

There is still hope that the Final Four will take place in Cologne, Germany, at the end of May, but clearly chances are decreasing by the day. The league has started to identify alternative dates with the priority of maintaining the competition system including the Final Four with the possibility of moving the marquee event to a later date.

Obviously, the league would aim to try and get in the final six remaining regular-season rounds and quarterfinal playoff series in a condensed calendar if necessary and then the Final Four, however, it is also ready for alternative scenarios. As long as the uncertainty continues, no option will be discarded.

With the hope that the season will go on at a later date, and with the risk of contracting the coronavirus through travel, the Euroleague recommended that players stay in their respective clubs’ city. But some players have already traveled back to the United States, including Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Aaron Jackson and Tyler Dorsey, while others like Jake Cohen, Scottie Wilbekin and Othello Hunter opted to stay in Israel for the time being.

Any players that have already departed or will depart their club’s city need to make sure they will be available and able to return to resume league play when the situation allows, while factoring in travel and quarantine regulations in each country.

Finally, the fans are one of the Euroleague’s main assets and the league’s website and social media platforms will continue to provide a wide variety of content.

Together with the players, a campaign was launched this week entitled #ISTAYHOME encouraging everyone to remain in their homes in order to cut down on the number of coronavirus cases and practice social distancing.

Lastly, the Euroleague website will be offering their full archive of past games for free throughout these challenging times.