Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross Has Revealing Insight Regarding 2020 NFL Season
By Michael Luciano
The coronavirus pandemic has led to the suspension of American sports leagues and has raised doubt over the NFL starting its season on time.
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was very bold in his adamant declaration that there will be football played as scheduled in 2020, but he did cast some doubt over fans in the stands. Ross did confirm that he expects fans to be in the stands when the year begins, but nothing is set in stone as of right now.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, speaking as chairman of Related this morning on CNBC, said he thinks there "definitely will be a football season this year" and the "real question is will there be fans in the stadium."
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) May 26, 2020
Ross noted their plan as of now is to host fans but nothing set.
Well that's certainly optimistic.
The NFL has done almost everything possible to ensure the 2020 season isn't delayed. However, given how the virus is still spreading and how packing 60,000 people in one place is a textbook way to increase interpersonal contact, the league has tacitly acknowledged that there's a distinct possibility that games are played in empty stadiums.
Establishing quality health and safety protocols will be of paramount importance when it comes to allowing fans to attend games.
Stephen Ross: NFL will definitely play, only question is if we'll have fans https://t.co/1EXmZuFTHd
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 26, 2020
Even if we get football on time in 2020, fans in the stands might not be a possibility, and Ross understands that valuing the health of the public over the money generated at the gate is the right mindset to have.