Recently, ESPN conducted a study for NFL fans and their willingness to watch games behind closed doors. Surprisingly, majority of the 1,004 fans assured that they supported the idea of sports events being closed off to the public. Evidently, many fans realise the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and its global impact.

At least 65 percent of respondents, from the age group 18 or older backed the closed doors idea. They believe that it is better to avoid watching sports live instead of waiting for an optimal time to stage major public events.

Then, the situation changed, where athletes “were kept in hotels and their contact with others was closely monitored”. However, the fans surprised yet again when 76 percent of the respondents still supported closed door events.

Admittedly, this survey is not a proper conclusion/solution on the matter. However, the results indicate that the pandemic has forced people to re-evaluate their attitudes toward sporting events.

Is the closed door option a long-term solution for the NFL?

During a panel discussion with the New York Times Magazine, vice provost for global initiatives Zeke Emanuel made a scary prediction. According to the Healthcare Transformation Institute at the University of Pennsylvania director, people may have to prepare to forego large public gatherings for more than a year.

He said, “Certain kinds of construction, or manufacturing or offices, in which you can maintain six-foot distances are more reasonable to start sooner. Larger gatherings like conferences, concerts, sporting events. When people say they’re going to reschedule this conference or graduation event for October 2020. I have no idea how they think that’s a plausible possibility. I think those things will be the last to return. Realistically we’re talking fall 2021 at the earliest.”

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Recently, The Athletic published an update on the situation with the NBA, NHL and MLB. In fact, all three leagues have considered scenarios where games are confined to one or a handful of locations. However, on the live sports front, there’s almost no scenario in which fans are part of the equation.