The future of sport as we know it hinges on getting fans back into stadia. This is especially true in Ireland where the IRFU, FAI and GAA rely to a very high level on the income generated by matchday ticketing and revenue.
Each week we will take a look at developments around the world on where sporting organisations, public health authorities and governments are moving in the return to stadia.
THE COST OF TESTING TO GET FANS BACK
The new NBA season will commence on December 22nd and the Golden State Warriors are willing to back whatever it takes to get fans back into their LA base of the Chase Centre.
They have revealed plans under consideration throughout the lockdown which would enable a 50 per cent capacity crowd, all players and officials to be tested on the day of a game and have their results known within 15 minutes.
The tests are similar to those PCR ones that have been deployed by sporting bodies, including the NBA, but which have delivered results overnight up until now. They are reported to be 99 per cent effective in picking up the virus.
The faster turnaround is possible but expensive.
Over the course of the season, the team estimates it will cost some $30 Million to complete the testing.
They are weighing that against the forecast loss of $400 million that would come from playing a full season behind closed doors.
Masks and social distancing, as well as a new air filtration system, are also part of the plan.
At present California does not allow any fans into stadia and San Francisco has reversed a decision to allow gyms to open.
Just over one month out looks a short time to persuade the authorities that this is possible, but with all the money coming from the club, and the potential to test how effective it is at no cost to state or federal funds, there may be the temptation.
LEARNING FROM AMERICA
We will be dropping in on a major US conference looking at the reopening of venues throughout today and sharing some of the lessons learned in this forum next week.
Tracks on safety, hospitality and connectivity will all be under the spotlight on what promises to be a day of learning where the US sports industry is at this point.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS SET TO PROCEED AS PLANNED
The Australian Open Tennis Tournament, the first of the 2021 Grand Slam events, is scheduled to take place in Melbourne as originally planned, in January.
Australia has strict measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 but they are focused primarily on borders, both external and internal.
Players looking to compete in the tournament will have to travel to Australia two weeks in advance and quarantine for the 14 days.
It is likely they will be able to train during that period, within their own ‘bubble’, but after that, they will be free to move around the city.
Coming at the start of the season this will be easier to manage than in high summer between the French Open and Wimbledon and when the international season is in full swing but the completion of a more normal run of events will most likely be dependent on the successful roll-out of a vaccination programme.
The moral question of whether testing should be available first to elite sports stars will become even more pointed when it comes to priorities in terms of vaccination.
Sport for Business Partners
