With e sentially the entire sporting world on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the commi sioners of 13 different leagues on Saturday to addre s the future of sports in America.
One of those commi sioners was the NHL's Gary Bettman.The NHL , when Bettman released a statement saying the league's goal was "to resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudentso that we will be able to complete the season Tajae Sharpe Jersey and award the Stanley Cup."
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Trump stated on the call that the goal was for Taywan Taylor Jersey leagues to be playing games with fans in attendance by August and September, although no one is sure whetherthat's a realistic target at this point.
Donald Trump also told commi sioners that he hopes to have fans back in stadiums and arenas by August and September, sources said, though it is currently unclear if medical experts find that to be a realistic timeline amid the current coronavirus pandemic.
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)At least one state governor, Gavin Newsom ofCalifornia, isnot counting on that happening.
On his daily pre s briefing just now tells me flatly re starting season on time w/fans in stands in the CA stadiums: "Im not anticipating that happening in this state."
Ronald Brownstein Kenny Vaccaro Jersey (@RonBrownstein)Given the wording of bothstatements, it's po sible leagues could resume earlier than that without fans in attendance. Either way, it looks like it will be August at the absolute earliest before leagues can even consider resuming their seasons.
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So, what does that mean for the NHL? Well, it certainly doesn't make things any easier.
Bettman appears determined to award the Stanley Cup this yearone way or another, . Hisreported concern over a conflict with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is no longer an i sue, so the summer could provide the window nece sary for the league to decide a champion in prime-time TV Malcolm Butler Jersey slots. However, even resuming games in the summer is in doubtat this point.
It's unclear what the league's exact plan is to deal with the situation, but it looks increasingly likely that the regular season is over, even if that means . However, thenumber of disrupted events hascontinued togrow, with summer development camps and rookie tournaments looking likely to join .
One of the league's main goals from the start has been to avoid disrupting the 2020-21 season.
The only definite for us is we certainly dont want to do anything around a resumption of play this season that will impact our ability to have a Amani Hooker Jersey full season next year, NHL deputy commi sioner Bill Daly . So thats kind of the outside parameters and rules were following currently. Everything else is kind of up for grabs for lack of a better term."
As more timegoes by without an end to this crisis in sight andmore events continue to get postponed, it only gets harder and harder for the league to avoid seriously compromisingthe 2020-21 schedule. At a certain Dion Lewis Jersey point, trying to complete the current season will become more trouble than it's worth, and that point could be coming very soon.
