Here is when major sports leagues expect to start play and the planned formats
Twelve weeks after the NBA shocked the sports world by saying it would suspend play because of the coronavirus, news of the league’s planned return was reported Wednesday by ESPN.
The report came on the same day Major League Soccer’s players announced they would ratify a collective bargaining agreement that will allow the season to resume.
With the NHL working on plans to return in hub cities and the PGA expected to play tournaments this month, here is a look at when sports leagues are expecting/hoping to return.
The NBA
Targeted return: July 31
Where: The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida
Format: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA would play an eight-game regular season involving 22 teams. There would be a possible play-in tournament for the eighth seed, and the playoffs would follow.
Teams to be invited include those in a playoff spot when play was halted and five others. In the Eastern Conference, the Bucks, Raptors, Celtics, Heat, Pacers, 76ers, Nets and Magic were in playoff position and they’ll be joined by the Wizards.
In the West, the Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Jazz, Thunder, Rockets, Mavericks and Grizzlies hold postseason spots. The Pelicans, Trail Blazers, Suns, Kings and Spurs would be added to the field, ESPN reported.
ESPN said teams would start training at home sites in July with full training camps later in the month in Orlando. A vote is expected Thursday and you can read more here.
Some other odd plans:
MLS
Targeted return: Early July
Where: Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida
Format: The Washington Post reported all 26 teams would train in Florida starting no earlier than June 24 and play a televised tournament. Each team to play three preliminary-round matches that count in regular-season standings. Sixteen teams would advance to the knockout stage and the final would take place in August.
The NHL
Targeted return: TBD
Where: Two hub cities will be chosen from these 10: Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Dallas, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver.
Format: The NHL announced 24 teams will take part (12 from the Eastern and Western conferences as determined by points percentage) in the playoffs and the regular season is over. Eight teams (the top four) in each conference will play a round-robin tournament to determine seeding in the first round. The other 16 teams will play a best-of-five series to see who makes the first round.
The NFL
The season is still scheduled to start Sept. 10 with the Chiefs playing host to the Texans.
Major League Baseball
The owners and players union have exchanged different plans for how the season would be played, but they haven’t reached agreement.
Golf majors
The Charles Schwab Challenge is scheduled for June 11-14 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Golf Week reported the PGA Championship is set for Aug. 6-9 in San Francisco, the U.S. Open will be Sept. 17-20 in Mamaroneck, New York, and the Masters will be held Nov. 12-15 in Augusta, Georgia.
LPGA
Plans to start again July 15-18 with the Great Lakes Invitational in Midland, Michigan. The British Open will be played Aug. 20-23 in Scotland and the U.S. Women’s Open will take place Dec. 10-13 in Houston.
NWSL
Return date: June 27
Where: Herriman, Utah and Sandy, Utah
Format: A 25-game tournament will feature nine teams. After 18 preliminary games, eight teams will advance to the playoff quarterfinals, which will begin July 17. The championship game would be played July 26.
NASCAR
Has already returned. The Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 will take place Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
