NBA Targeting July 31st Return; Split on Format
The NBA is targeting July 31st as its return date, according to reports, though formatting for the return is still up in the air.
During Friday’s NBA board of governors meeting, four potential scenarios were presented to general managers as part of a 10-part survey, ESPN reported. More than half (16 of 30) voted for the league coming back with its typical 16-team playoff bracket, based on current standings.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league office informed Board of Governors that July 31 is a target date for return of season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 29, 2020
Other scenarios below, via ESPN.
• Resume the regular season with all 30 teams followed by a play-in tournament (8 votes);
• Go straight to the playoffs with either a play-in tournament or a World Cup-style group stage (5 votes);
• Resume the regular season with all 30 teams and then go straight to the playoffs (1 vote).
(via ESPN)
If the league goes back to a regular season and hits the 70-game mark, it will allow teams to participate and collect revenue from regional TV deals.
The most likely location for the restart would be the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando. USA Today wrote about what that could look like.