With the NBA season suspended because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the
league is making financial preparations after being advised that the earliest
play may be able to resume is June, ESPN reported Tuesday night.
Sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that former Surgeon General Vivek
Murthy, who joined the league's board of governors in a Tuesday conference
call, shared his view that America's recovery from the pandemic was far from
over and may not be for some time.
Accordingly, the NBA is working through plans to increase its credit line by
an additional $550 million up to $1.2 billion as a means to assist with
expenses for what may be a prolonged shutdown.
Murthy apparently was a bit more optimistic in recent days about a more
limited spread of the virus, although sources told Wojnarowski, "No one left
that call thinking we could be playing anytime soon."
Per the report, teams are hoping the NBA can give them planned dates to
possibly resume the season -- whether or not it's the regular season and
postseason, or playoffs only. But Wojnarowski said the league is remaining
patient as owners wait for more tangible estimates on potential lost revenues
before committing to any revised calendar.
Wojnarowski reported that the NBA is plotting options involving ending the
season completely, tipping it off again but without fans, or waiting until the
playoffs to allow spectators in arenas. Changes also reportedly could include
a reduction in the length of playoff series.