The NBA has been shut down since March 5, and as the league’s leadership discuss options for finishing the season, one alternative that has been proposed is playing the rest of the games down in Disney World.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the NBA is considering a solution that would see the league coming to an isolation bubble to ramp up the season to avoid a delay on next season and beyond. This would also enable teams to eliminate travel time which further speeds up the process.
One possible playing ground for NBA if finishing season becomes safe for league and players: Walt Disney World Resort property in Orlando, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. League has kept different scenarios in mind.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 29, 2020
The league has discussed housing players in resort hotels, using the nearby Orlando Magic facilities, and having teams play each other in these quarantined cities. The Disney area already has all the means for broadcasting which comes as an immense advantage. There are very few areas in the United States that can house the whole NBA but Disney may actually fit the bill.
Disney gave a presentation to the NBA via video conference in what appeared to be a sales pitch, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
Disney chairman Bob Iger presented to the league's board of governors today via video conference.
(Unrelated, Disney's massive Central Florida campus has been talked about by some Florida lawmakers as a possible site for a resumption of NBA games.)
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 17, 2020
MLB has also been exploring ideas on how to begin their season. Unlike the NBA, Major League Baseball has explored keeping teams in their own ballparks. This proposal has its pros and cons but certainly carries many more risks than if games were to be played in one central area.
Meanwhile, the NHL is also working to try to get their season going and may jump directly into the playoffs. However, once again, the cross-country setting would cause several problems.
The NFL already postponed pre-season workouts and relied on a virtual draft.
The NBA will keep all ideas open but this intriguing Disney proposal may have two legs and two feet versus the Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Atlantis Bahamas suggestions.
