Orlando Mayor Discusses NBA Restart at Disney World

in Sports, Walt Disney World

disney world nba header

Credit: Disney/NBA

With both the National Basketball Association and Major League Soccer set to resume games at Walt Disney World Resort, there has been much discussion, both online and on television networks like ESPN, regarding whether or not the resumption of professional sports is wise at this time.

Now, Orlando Mayor Jerry Demings has expressed support for the return of pro sports at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

In an Orange County Task Force meeting, Demings stated:

“Disney has gone through great lengths to ensure the safety of those [NBA] players, and the sanitation associated with the facilities that they will be living in and playing in so that those games will be broadcast for our pleasure. We want to see those games continue.”

22 of the 30 NBA teams are currently set to participate in the Orlando restart.

NBA teams headed to orlando
Credit: ESPN

These teams include 13 Western Conference NBA teams…

  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • LA Clippers
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Utah Jazz
  • OKC Thunder
  • Houston Rockets
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antoni Spurs
  • Phoenix Suns

…and 9 Eastern Conference NBA teams.

  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Boston Celtics
  • Miami Heat
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Orlando Magic
  • Washington Wizards
Disney World NBA 2019-20 Season
Credit: Disney/NBA

The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is still in talks with the NBA and Walt Disney World Resort executives to finalize plans for the season restart, including player safety protocols.

Although the NBA’s restart schedule could be altered at any time, the current timeline is:

June 22: NBA player coronavirus testing begins

June 30: Training camps begin

July 7-9: Teams travel to Orlando at staggered times

July 31: 2019-2020 regular season resumes

Aug. 16-17: Play-in tournament for playoff berths

Aug. 18: First round of the NBA playoffs begins

Aug. 25: NBA draft lottery

Sept. 1: Second round of the NBA playoffs begins

Sept. 15: NBA Conference Finals start

Sept. 30: Game 1 of the NBA Finals

Oct. 12: Game 7 of the NBA Finals (if necessary)

Oct. 15: NBA draft

Oct. 18: Start of  NBA free agency

Nov. 10: 2020-21 training camp begins

Dec. 1: 2020-21 season opening night

nba player concerns header
Credit: Disney/Getty Images

During the same Florida Task Force meeting, Demings noted that MLS officials are “exercising an abundance of caution” to ensure that their players and coaches remain safe during their tournament at Walt Disney World. This event will take place before the 2020 NBA season restart in July.

What do you think about the Orlando Mayor’s comments about the NBA restart? Do you agree with professional sports resuming at Disney World? 

in Sports, Walt Disney World

Comments Off on Orlando Mayor Discusses NBA Restart at Disney World