NBA training facilities to open–where allowed
NBA training facilities may open in states where governors and mayors have opened the local economy after a coronavirus shutdown, according to several reports. (more…)
NWHL expands to Toronto
After five seasons, the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) has its first Canadian team, with a strong ownership group bringing an expansion team to Toronto. (more…)
Madison Square Garden Company split complete
A split of Madison Square Garden Company assets is now complete, with MSG Entertainment (comprising the programming and venues) and MSG Sports (comprising the professional sports franchises) now trading separately on the New York Stock Exchange. (more…)
New NBA streaming service will be direct to fans
The NBA is using its digital partnership with Turner Sports to plan and launch a new NBA streaming service marketed directly to fans, in partnership with Microsoft. (more…)
Cuban: Expect NBA play to resume in empty arenas
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban expects the NBA to resume play in empty arenas, but it’s not clear whether that would happen to end the 2019-2020 season or to begin the 2020-2021 season. (more…)
Safety first when arenas reopen: study
We have some more polling about fans will act once arenas reopen after an abatement of the coronavirus pandemic. The bottom line: it will be a challenge to bring them back. (more…)
Seattle Center arena construction goes on
While the coronavirus pandemic shutters most of American business, construction is a field that remains open in many states. That’s good news for some big projects underway, including the massive overhaul of the Seattle Center arena, set to open in 2021. (more…)
WNBA virtual draft, delay to season opener announced
The WNBA will hold a virtual draft on April 17 and delay both training camp and the season opener in response to the coronavirus pandemic. (more…)
Populous, BAM tapped for new OVG Manchester arena design, construction
International architecture firm Populous and European construction firm Royal BAM Group have been tapped by Oak View Group to design and build a new Manchester arena billed as the largest of its kind in the UK. (more…)
When arenas open, will fans return?
Planning is tough due to the lack of actionable data, but as the arena industry preps for 2020-2021, one study indicates that things won’t snap back to normal when arenas open. (more…)
MSG board approves entertainment spinoff, suspends MSG Sphere construction
The Madison Square Garden board approved a spin-off of its entertainment business from its sports business, and announced Las Vegas’s MSG Sphere construction is suspended due to coronavirus impacts. (more…)
Single-site NBA playoffs, truncated finals under consideration
With it increasingly looking like there won’t be a full resumption of the 2019-2020 season, league officials are considering truncated NBA playoffs with 16 teams competing at a single site and a finals lasting five to seven games. (more…)
