The Milwaukee Bucks say they won’t allow fans at home games for the 2020-21 season until further notice in accordance with state and local health guidelines regarding COVID-19.
Bucks officials say they will work with state and local health officials as well as the NBA to evaluate a potential time that fans can return to games in some capacity later in the season.
The NBA season is set to start Dec. 22, but the Bucks’ schedule hasn’t been released.
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In contrast, the Green Bay Packers announced Monday that they’re moving closer to welcoming fans to games. When the Packers take on the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on Sunday night, about 500 people — team employees and their family members — will be in attendance.
Packers officials say they’ll use the opportunity to test their coronavirus safety protocols regarding things like signage, restroom use, concession sales and mobile ticketing before possibly welcoming a larger number of spectators later this season.
Guests will be required to sit in “family pods” with up to six members of the same household. Bellin Health President and CEO Chris Woleske said it’ll be like moving each family’s sofa into the stadium on game day.
The team will continue to work with Bellin Health Systems, its hospital partner, and local public health officials as it decides whether fans may ultimately be allowed to attend games this season. Bellin Health infectious disease specialist Dr. Michael Landrum said the group will look at factors like the rate of community spread and hospital capacity as it sets fan policies moving forward.
“There’s no one specific number or criteria we’re looking at,” he said.
Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said it’s unlikely the team will be ready to welcome a larger number of fans in time for the Philadelphia Eagles game on Dec. 6. After that, Green Bay’s next home game is against the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 20.
The 500 attendees at Sunday’s game would be less than 1 percent of Lambeau Field’s capacity, Murphy said. Under the new protocols, the team could sell 12,000 tickets per game at most, he said.
A number of NFL teams have already hosted fans at games during the pandemic. According to a news release from the Packers, no clusters of coronavirus cases have been traced back to NFL games.
On Monday, Brown County Public Health Officer Anna Destree said the coronavirus remains a serious concern in the area, but the local outbreak may be leveling off in northeast Wisconsin.
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