The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) approved this Saturday the return plan that the NBA plans to retake the competition in Orlando, Florida (Walt Disney World Resort), with a format that will bring together 22 teams in order to complete the season before next October 12.
The NBA players union voted in favor of the return plan devised by the organizers and approved that negotiations continue towards the resumption of the 2019-20 season, provisionally established on December 1, although it could vary depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Players’ Representatives Board of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) approved negotiations with the NBA on a return stage with 22 teams to restart the 2019-20 NBA season,” the union said in a statement. .
“Several details remain to be negotiated and acceptance of the scenario would still require all parties to agree on all relevant issues to resume the competition,” concludes the NBPA, whose members – nearly all of the 30 teams – voted in favor of unanimity.
NBPA President Chris Paul is friends with Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger, and the two worked closely with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to come up with an “acceptable plan” on the return of the North American competition for basketball.
The NBA-approved model features a total of 22 teams playing in Orlando as of July 31, with October 12 as the deadline to play the final game of the Finals for the title. This was approved last Thursday by almost all of the franchises.
The new schedule includes regular league and playoff games for the 16 teams that currently occupy playoff positions in both Conferences, West and East, as well as the next six with better balance. Thus, the New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards would also return to activity.
