As reported earlier in the week, the NBA presented a 22-team plan – 13 Western conference and 9 Eastern conference teams – to the Board of Governors, and clearly the Board liked what they heard. These teams are now headed to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex on Disney property to finish out the season.
With WWE already running events in Orlando, and Major League Soccer also eyeing Orlando as a site to restart its season, Gov. Ron DeSantis, a proponent of opening the state come hell or high water, was jubilant in a conference call with NBA bigwigs earlier this week, saying, "Orlando really could be the epicenter of the comeback of professional sports."
Last month, DeSantis suggested the University of Florida in Gainesville could host NFL games this season. And in April, DeSantis declared pro wrestling to be an essential business, allowing WWE tapings in Orlando to go ahead and frustrating Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. It turned out the governor stands to gain $18 million in free political advertising, paid for by WWE owner Vince McMahon's wife, Linda.
This article first appeared at our sister paper Orlando Weekly.
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter to get the most up-to-date news + views. Subscribe to our newsletter, too.
This article appears in Jun 4-10, 2020.