NBA Rumors: Disney World a 'Clear Frontrunner' for Resumed Season

As the NBA searches for a neutral location to hold the remainder of the season, Disney World in Orlando has reportedly become a 'clear frontrunner.'

Justin Grasso | May 20, 2020

The NBA has reportedly taken a serious interest in resuming the 2019-2020 season at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, according to a report on Wednesday.

For the last couple of months, the NBA has been mulling over the decision to continue or cancel the current season. While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has avoided leaning towards either choice at this time, the chances of the 2019-2020 season making a comeback continue to increase each and every day.

At this point, it's become evident that if the NBA returns, fans are not going to be able to attend. Knowing that fact, the NBA doesn't have to worry about having teams travel as much. So instead of having teams travel and risk contacting the coronavirus, the NBA is working on finding a neutral location where all teams can stay and play games.

The potential location has been referred to popularly as a 'bubble city.' At first, Las Vegas, Nevada, seemed like the inevitable landing spot for the NBA to host the remainder of the season. But then Disney World made a pitch that must've caught the attention of decision-makers within the league.

"We are confident we'll be hosting the NBA in some fashion," a Disney source told Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports. "It may not be the entire league, but we believe the NBA will be here to at least finish part of their season. [There are] Still hurdles to cross, but we are preparing as if that is the case." Even Houston, Texas, has reportedly received some consideration as of late, but it seems that Orlando is the frontrunner at this time.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_

Published May 20, 2020

JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA