In an attempt to go back to some sort of a routine, and establish a “new normal”, the NBA and MLS are going to Disney World (well not exactly to the Magic Kingdom, but close enough…). Both leagues will be heading to Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando to resume the 2020 season behind closed doors and with no fans present.
The coronavirus pandemic shut down all major sports in America, with all games being suspended due to player, staff and fan safety concerns. Since March when the leagues were shut down, there has been constant debate on how to resume playing again, while still protecting health and safety. And so, 26 Major League Soccer teams and 22 NBA teams will fly over to Orlando, stay in nearby hotels and continue what was supposed to be their regular seasons in tournament-style competitions behind closed doors without any fans present.
ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex, Photo: ESPN WWOS
The MLS is looking to bring around 1,200 people to Orlando, with travelling parties topped at 45 people per club. The tournament will be held from late June to early August, with more tournament details expected later this week. Major League Soccer will be played in made-for-TV settings that MLS Commissioner Don Garber termed as “Soccer Game Studios”, in a World-Cup style tournament with 3 groups and a 16-team knockout round.
The NBA is expected to bring around 1,600 people and arrive at Disney around July 7, with regular season games commencing on July 31, followed by playoffs and the NBA Finals. NBA action in Orlando can then resume until mid-October.
Disney has 18 resort-style hotels in the area, including the Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, the Swan and Dolphin Resort and more luxury properties that can give players, coaches and staff not only a luxurious stay, but also privacy, spas, pools, conference rooms and even four golf courses. So all parties will stay in hotels within the area and be isolated from the general public.
Basketball Facilities at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex, Photo: Uma Mawatari/Disney Photography
The ESPN Wide World of Sports has already hosted both top flight basketball and soccer before. Such as the MLS All-Star Games, pre-season training camps, international friendly games and the league’s Orlando City SC matches. The NBA held in the complex its Pre-Draft camps and Junior NBA Championships.
The site has 17 fully-lit soccer fields and 3 basketball/multi-sport arenas. The HP Fieldhouse is an additional 70,000 square-foot facility with 6 basketball courts, there is the Visa Center with room for 6 to 8 courts, and the Arena has space to fit 6 more practice courts. ESPN also has on site a 2,500 square-foot broadcast center with 8 editing bays that can send feeds directly to various locations in the country.