NBA eyes season restart in July at Disney complex
The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company on a single- site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July, the clearest sign yet that the league believes the season can continue amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The National Basketball Players Association is also part of the talks with Disney. Games would be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a massive campus on the Disney property near Orlando.
It remains unclear whether the NBA will play the remainder of its regular season or proceed directly to the playoffs. But the 220- acre complex, with its three arenas and ample hotel accommodations, would allow the league to restart play while limiting outside exposures.
The NBA reportedly has a board of governors call set for Friday, which is expected to provide additional details for teams on a timetable and plan to proceed with the season. Teams are expecting the league to instruct them to start recalling players to their markets around June 1.