Goodell eyes full stadiums in ’21
Roger Goodell said unprompted on a conference call Tuesday that the NFL expects to have full stadiums in the 2021 season.
“We are also discussing our plans to welcome back all of our fans for the 2021 season across the country at all NFL stadiums,” Goodell said. “All of us in the NFL want to see every one of our fans back. Football is simply not the same without fans, and we expect to have full stadiums in the upcoming season.”
Goodell’s expectations are contingent on a lot of variables, however, so while more fans will be in the seats, there is no guarantee all 30 buildings will be full.
If anything, Goodell sounded more hopeful on Tuesday, like he was trying to speak the reality of full stadiums into existence for a league that cashed in big on a recent media rights deal but also wants its ticket revenue to bounce back — well aware that it may not right away.
Any plan to increase attendance will only be contingent upon the approval and policies of state governors and local governments.
The NFL also is not requiring personnel or players to get vaccinated. The league is encouraging it, according to Goodell. Similarly, the commissioner said the NFL’s policy for fans and vaccinations would be education. In other words, the NFL and its medical team will advocate in favor of the vaccine but will not require it.
How the lack of vaccine requirements affect fan decisions remains to be seen.
Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, talked to the owners during Tuesday’s virtual meetings in an effort to educate the clubs on the safety element, per Goodell.
Goodell and the owners are proud that 1.2 million fans attended games in 21 of the league’s 30 stadiums last season during the pandemic. Now they’re trying to bring more people back as the increased availability of vaccinations means a larger population of the general public is inoculated.
It’s already public that there will be fans in MetLife Stadium. The stadium was allowed to welcome fans up to 15% capacity for all events beginning on March 1, per the order of Gov. Phil Murphy.