I think it really depends on what the league’s plans are. If they’re firm on not starting next season without fans in the stands you’re likely looking at a December/January start date anyway. In the meantime if they can conclude this season without fans they might as well try, worst case scenario is it doesn’t happen anyways.
By my estimates based on the timeline that next season could start, I’m guessing mid-September as the latest potential start date. But the only thing I know for sure is that corona is like a day-to-day injury. We’ll revaluate tomorrow to see if we can move forward and there is no predetermined timeline when it comes to anything
- RedC21
Absolutely day to day. Part of it all is that camps would have started in September. By waiting that one extra month, teams could have time to implement “bubbles” on a city by city basis. The NHL will have a lot of trouble without the gate, but can swing it for some time. The AHL can’t swing it at all it looks like. The logistics of bringing 12 teams in and keeping them “bubbled” in one area is just so Herculean. Waiting that one or two months and starting on time may help to get ahead of this a bit more. I honestly think this format will be lucky to “break even” at this point. At worst, it could be an economic loss.
My thoughts on fundraising would be a throwback to the old World Wars. Have teams allow people to buy “stocks or bonds”. Maybe even have the NHL do an IPO like the WWE did. That are some ways to bring in outside money, but you have to get creative