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The NBA hasn’t had a player test positive for COVID-19 in the past week and with the league obviously wanting to keep it that way it doesn’t want any of its players, coaches, or staff members to host or attend any Super Bowl parties.
On Saturday, the NBA informed all 30 teams that personnel is not permitted to gather outside of their home for Super Bowl Sunday. Teams that are at home are allowed to watch the game with their household members. For the teams on the road, players and staff can host up to four family members or close friends in their hotel, but only if those four people have tested negative recently.
The NBA informed its 30 teams that players, coaches and staff are not permitted to gather outside of their home for Super Bowl Sunday. At home, individuals are able to watch with household. On road, may host up to four family/close friends in hotel, with advance testing.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2021
These rules for Super Bowl Sunday are practically the same protocols the league already has in place, so this is more or less just a reminder. That’s all fine and well, but this is the same league that has its sights set on hosting the All-Star Game in Atlanta in March despite the likes of LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and other players around the league voicing that they have absolutely zero interest in having an All-Star Game amid the pandemic.
The NBA doesn’t want its players watching the Super Bowl with anyone outside their family or inner circle, even if masks were worn and social distancing was practiced, but it wants to send its top talent to Atlanta for a completely meaningless game. It’s a pretty hypocritical situation, and fans on Twitter were quick to call out the league for their no Super Bowl parties message.
https://twitter.com/Hou5ton4L/status/1358093544368599040?s=20
Not allowed to gather for super bowl.
Forced to play an exhibition game in Atlanta with courtside fans.Okay, Adam Silver. pic.twitter.com/yr35sUUxix
— It’sDaveVillanueva (@EsDeib) February 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/steviesburner2/status/1358092572573499395?s=20
but all the best players in the league can gather in one site for the all star game? Risking losing your stars for weeks, possibly infecting people at risk, and therefore losing a lot of money and trust from the consumers?
— Jarocks🗿 (@jarocks_arthur) February 6, 2021