John Abbamondi, Head of Brooklyn Nets.
Dave Reginek | Getty Images
The National Basketball Association will begin their regular 2020-21 season on Tuesday, returning to in-market games for the first time since March 11. But executives are already predicting disputes due to Covid-19.
Brooklyn Nets boss John Abbamondi joined CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Monday and said the league was fully committed to “there will be bumps on this road” as he returns to play again at pandemic.
The NBA will try to shorten a 72-game schedule surrounded by Covid-19 protocols and test what it hopes will prevent a similar outbreak like other professional sports leagues.
“No one is aware that you are going to stop things from happening,” Abbamondi said. “I think the key is how you handle it, and there are robust protocols in place to isolate these people, get them treated, and prevent a bigger revolution.”
The National Football League is the latest league to suffer a revolution, which defeated the Baltimore Ravens, causing three delays in the Week 12 tournament against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And Major League Baseball also had some trouble before it ended its year with a bubble-like World Series in Texas.
The NBA was praised for handling the almost perfect test record during its bubble in Orlando to end the 2019-20 season. But returning to competitions within the market, where players and employees are not alone, will be a different challenge.
The NBA said 48 players have performed well in their December 2 return-to-market test report. Since then, a further nine cases have been revealed, with only one in its most recent report on 16 December.
Kevin Durant # 7 of the Brooklyn Nets fires the ball against the Washington Wizards at a preseason game on Dec. 13, 2020 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Nathaniel S. Butler | National Basketball Association Getty Images
And with restrictions on large gatherings in some states financially, the pressure will continue for NBA owners who are not yet allowed fans to attend games and at full capacity. Abbamondi reiterated that league affairs make game day business accounts for 40% of revenue.
“The required income [the Barclays Center] to be full, and not to be full for a time, “Abbamondi said.” So we’re definitely winning, but we have an opportunity ahead of us, and we think it’s a great opportunity for entertainment. our fans through television and other media. “
To help balance losses, CNBC confirmed a report that raised the NBA $ 900 million and will give teams $ 30 million to stay away for the year. And Abbamondi added that NBA teams could welcome fans back in time for the postseason, where gate revenues are typically at their highest point.
The Nets, owned by Alibaba co-founder Joseph Tsai, would benefit from the additional playoff revenue and further help viewers with in-arena game day activity for a new jersey jersey fan, Motorola.
“Hopefully before the end of this season, which will be next summer, things will look very different,” said Abbamondi. “There is a lot of warning, but there is a sense of optimism. there too, and I think all Americans share that. “