On Friday afternoon, the NBA took another big step toward resuming the 2019-20 season.
A day after the league’s Board of Governors approved commissioner Adam Silver’s return plan by a 29-1 margin, the National Basketball Players Association followed suit, as all 28 player representatives who took part in a conference call vote cast a vote in favor of the 22-team format.
Afterward, the NBPA issued a statement noting “various details remain to be negotiated.” Still, for now, both sides seem to be nearing an agreement to get teams playing again by July 31 at the Disney World campus in Orlando, Fla.
Utah Jazz executive vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey also issued a statement after the players’ vote, touching upon the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the fact that fans won’t be allowed at any of the remaining games, and, ultimately, the franchise’s happiness to get back to basketball.
“I would like to thank Commissioner Silver, the NBA Board of Governors and the players for their willingness and commitment to finish the 2019-20 NBA season,” Lindsey said. “While our society faces important issues that certainly eclipse basketball, the entire Jazz organization looks forward to getting back on the court and continuing its playoff push.”
