California's governor, Gavin Newsom, today announced that sporting events could return to the state as early as the first week of June, albeit without fans in stadiums. That is a sharp contrast to what many, including one Santa Clara County official, have previously speculated—that sports would not return to Bay Area counties before November, at the earliest.
The unknown timeline and logistics surrounding the return of sports is due to continuing concerns across the country surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Further opening the economy also depends on "if we (as a state) hold these trend lines," said Newsom. The governor didn't offer any details beyond that, though.
"We're just talking about the opportunity … to begin the process of organizing around what that may or may not look like," Newsom said via The Mercury News.
While Newsom adds that doing so would also require "deep stipulations" and "very prescriptive conditions" for such events, the news might mean that the San Francisco 49ers could play their home games for the upcoming season at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state could see pro sports return by the first week of June without fans. pic.twitter.com/j4PPg56Yn7
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 18, 2020
Many players and coaches have said they need about 3-4 weeks to get ready for a season to start or re-start. In addition to Newsom's announcement, many pro sports training facilities (Lakers, Clippers, Galaxy, LAFC) are now open as teams get ready to possibly play games again.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 18, 2020
Some felt there was a possibility of California-based NFL teams playing their home games outside of the state. For example, the 49ers might have been able to play at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, without disrupting the home schedule of the Arizona Cardinals.
Similarly, the two Los Angeles teams, the Chargers and Rams, could have played at newly-built Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada—the home stadium of the Raiders.
49ers cornerback Richard Sherman suggested that money is likely a big reason for the updated timeline.
Money changes everything. Teams started exploring options outside the state and all of a sudden the timeline changed https://t.co/eeAIl8B4bg
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) May 18, 2020
The NFL is scheduled to kick off its regular season in September, with the 49ers slated to open the season by hosting the Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, September 13.
