Comments from California Gov. Gavin Newsom continue to suggest the Los Angeles Dodgers and other sports teams in the state are unlikely to be play games with fans in attendance this year. His remarks align with finding a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, which isn’t expected until 2021.
“It’s difficult to imagine a stadium that’s filled until we have immunity, until we have a vaccine,” Newsom said during his daily press conference Thursday.
“It’s difficult for me and imagine what the league, broadly leagues, do when one or two of their key personnel or players are tested positive. Do they quarantine the rest of the team if an offensive lineman is practicing with a defensive lineman, and they are tested positive? What happens to the rest of the line?
“What happens for the game coming up next weekend? It’s inconceivable to me that that’s not a likely scenario, so it’s a very challenging question you’re asking. I know it’s being asked by Major League Baseball, certainly by the commissioner, the NFL. I’ve had the privilege of talking to many of them including the players, unions and associations.
“And I can assure you this, it’s very fluid and I think it should be, they should be very, very sensitive to the needs of the communities which they are identified and where they practice and play, but we are working collaborative and cooperatively across the spectrum and that includes soccer, includes UFC, includes many different leagues and affiliations, all that really want to get back.”
Newsom reiterated his passion for sports and acknowledged its ability to unite a society. However, it remains clear he will not allow that to influence the decision-making process.
As MLB continues to evaluate its options for a second Spring Training and start of the 2020 regular season, it’s believed their preference is to use home ballparks. That still could be viable, as most didn’t anticipate fans being permitted at games anyhow.
The bigger change could be felt with the 2020 MLB All-Star Game, which remains scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, even though it grows increasingly unlikely by the day. California did begin to slowly re-open Friday and more could follow in the ensuing weeks.
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