Adam Silver Issues Letter To NBA Fans

NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a letter to NBA fans on Thursday night, addressing the league’s decision to suspend the 2019/20 season due to the coronavirus and confirming that the NBA intends to resume the season when it becomes viable to do so.

“As you know, we have temporarily suspended our season in response to the coronavirus pandemic,” Silver said in the letter. “We made this decision to safeguard the health and well-being of fans, players, everyone connected to our game and the general public. This hiatus will last at least 30 days and we intend to resume the season, if and when it becomes safe for all concerned.

“In the meantime, we will continue to coordinate with infectious disease and public health experts along with government officials to determine safe protocols for resuming our games. As we develop the appropriate course for future NBA games and events, we will keep you informed of any changes as soon as they happen. Tickets already purchased for a postponed game will be honored when the game is rescheduled. If games are not played or played in an empty arena, teams will work with fans on a credit for a future game or a refund.”

Silver went on to recommend visiting the league’s official website for the latest news and cautioned that it will remain a “complicated and rapidly evolving situation.”

Silver’s letter confirms that the NBA expects its hiatus to last at least 30 days, as he announced on TNT earlier in the evening. His suggestion that the league expects to eventually resume the ’19/20 season aligns with comments made by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and other executives earlier today. However, it remains to be seen when that might happen and how exactly the league will adjust its schedule to accommodate the layoff.

View Comments (10)