New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday afternoon that, effective immediately, professional sports teams in the state were permitted to begin training camps.
Cuomo’s announcement comes on the heels of the NBA ramping up discussions to return to play at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando. It also comes just two days after New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing announced on Twitter that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
New York has been a hotspot for coronavirus outbreaks, which have led some to criticize Cuomo’s decision to lighten restrictions. New York state beaches and campgrounds will also open today and tomorrow, respectively. Cuomo did state that teams will have to follow proper health protocols upon their return.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Friday that some NBA teams “including NYC” have inquired to the NBA on whether or not their players could bypass a return to their team markets due to the high rate of coronavirus cases in those locations and report directly to the proposed locations where the league will return to play. Wojnarowski did not specify whether the Knicks, Nets or both were among the teams who made these requests.
Photo: (Jae C. Hong – AP Photo)