After issuing multiple statements regarding steps to be taken for coronavirus, the NBA responded on Wednesday, March 11, that the 2019-2020 NBA season would be suspended.
The rapid spread of coronavirus has caused the cancellations of many major sporting events around the globe. As of Tuesday, March 10, there have been 116,000 cases worldwide, and 4,000 deaths as a result of the virus. Multiple American states have declared cases of emergency and many public health officials are recommending the cancellation of all major gatherings, including sporting events.
Prior to the suspension, the Golden State Warriors announced that all of their home games would be played without fans in attendance, in order to prevent the spread of the virus. They were following a guideline issued by the San Francisco Health Office which prohibits gatherings housing upwards of a thousand people.
After the idea of playing games in arenas with no fans was introduced, some team owners argued for the complete suspension of the season. After a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the disease, however, this pushed the issue over the edge, as the NBA canceled the season indefinitely.
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic,” the NBA reported in a statement regarding the situation.
While the NBA did not name the player in question during their news release, a person familiar with the situation confirmed it was Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert.
Gobert, who was ruled out sick during the Wednesday night game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder, was not in the arena. However, news of his test results were reported at tip-off. The game was canceled as a result.
In a peculiar scene that took place on Monday, March 9, Rudy Gobert jokingly touched all the microphones and recording equipment after an interview.
So…here is Rudy touching all the mics following Mondays shoot around that has some people concerned… #TakeNote #utahjazz #CoronaVirus pic.twitter.com/dr4auECTr4
— Dave Fox (@Davefox2) March 12, 2020
Upon cancelation news, players were quarantined on the court due to the NBA’s announcement on Monday which stated that locker room access is extremely limited due to concerns.
NBA fans and team owners around the globe are outraged at this decision, expressing their unhappiness with the organization and their policies.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban held a news conference after his team beat the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. He expressed concern for those NBA employees who live paycheck-to-paycheck.
“What about all the people that work here on an hourly basis? We’ll put together a program for them,” Cuban said.
When asked for his opinion about the situation again, however, Cuban digressed, “When it’s something this critical, with people’s health, safety, fans, and customers are at stake, I don’t have an opinion.”
