With NBA On Hiatus & NHL Still Deciding, Clock Is Ticking For Flyers & Sixers
In the lead up to the NBA suspending their season, multiple options were on the table. All options surrounded around the NBA protecting its fans. But, no-one thought it would get to this.
Last night, the NBA suspended its season after Utah Jazz center, Rudy Gobert, tested positive for the coronavirus.
According to reports, the NBA was voting today at noon on its next course of action. Whether suspending the season was even going to be an option or just worst case scenario remains to be seen.
However, commissioner Adam Silver made a quick, justified decision to halt the NBA season. In main part due to a player being diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The NBAs suspension has sent the sports world into a follow the leader type of spiral. Leagues around the world have began to halt their play in response to the coronavirus to protect the safety of the players and fans.
With the NBA suspending its season, many thought the next league to follow would be the NHL.
In a statement released last night, the NHL said its monitoring the situation and will have a board of executives meeting today at 1pm to decide its next course of action.
Will the NHL suspend its season? Will they play behind closed doors? All options are on the table for the NHL to decide its next course of action.
However, one thing cannot be lost in the talks. The NHL must make the best decision not only for the fans, but for its players.
The NBA had no choice but to suspend because a player has the coronavirus. With no known cases in the NHL, if the players want to play, the NHL should try every solution possible to let them play.
But, a problem is arising in Philadelphia.
The Wells Fargo Center was closing this summer to complete the final stage of the 3-season renovation. The building was closing May 3rd or whenever the Flyers & Sixers were eliminated from the playoffs. An elimination that at its longest point would have come in late May or early June.
With the NBA announcing the season will be shut down for at least two weeks and the NHL still deciding, this could be worst case scenario for Philadelphia. The longer the suspensions go on, the more it hurts the Flyers & the Sixers.
Comcast Spectacor, the Wells Fargo Center operating company, did not have a comment on the situation.
It remains to be seen what will happen. However, with the renovation already planned & set to start at the latest of early June, there is a real possibility the Flyers & Sixers could be playing home playoff games on the road.