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LeBron James incensed amid rumors of push to cancel NBA season

Not everyone wants sports back as soon as possible. NBA team executives and agents are pushing for the currently suspended season to be officially cancelled — according to a CNBC report — a desire to concentrate on formulating a safe plan to begin next season, mounting financial losses and frustration with the league’s sharing of …

Not everyone wants sports back as soon as possible.

NBA team executives and agents are pushing for the currently suspended season to be officially cancelled — according to a CNBC report — a desire to concentrate on formulating a safe plan to begin next season, mounting financial losses and frustration with the league’s sharing of information.

Even though the first-ever cancelled NBA season would harm the 30 teams which split the roughly $2 billion per year national TV deal — excluding local media contracts — multiple owners are reportedly concerned with liability issues concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and unsure whether it is prudent to re-start the season. According to one CNBC source, one Western Conference team has already lost almost $50 million since the season was suspended on March 11. The NBA has already reached an agreement with the players association to withhold 25 percent of player salaries beginning May 15.

“What [owners] are saying is, ’If we return, where is the revenue that is going to justify the additional cost of returning?” one team executive said. “They are looking at the cost side versus the revenue side. What revenue comes in now?”

Owners with wide-ranging business portfolios are hemorrhaging money elsewhere, too.

“These owners aren’t just sitting there with an ATM that’s printing more than ever before,” Andy Dolich, the Grizzlies former president of business operations, told CNBC. “Some of them are looking at vast losses outside of just their basketball team.”

LeBron JamesIcon Sportswire via Getty Images

The face of the league, LeBron James, denies such sentiment exists around the league.

“Saw some reports about execs and agents wanting to cancel season???” James tweeted. “That’s absolutely not true. Nobody I know saying anything like that. As soon as it’s safe we would like to finish our season. I’m ready and our team is ready. Nobody should be canceling anything.”

At least three owners agree. Following the league’s announcement of pushing back the re-opening dates of practice facilities until at least May 8, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Bucks owner Marc Lasry both said they still believe the season would continue.

“I’m cautiously optimistic we’ll be able to finish the season for television. I don’t think we’ll have fans,” Cuban said on CNN. “I hate to put odds on it, but I’m cautiously optimistic. But this virus isn’t giving us any information to help us.”

RC Buford, CEO of the Spurs, told the San Antonio Express-News after the CNBC report was out that “Every intention is to return to play,” after a call with team presidents.

Lasry looks at July and/or August as realistic dates the playoffs could take place.

“My opinion is we’ll end up having a season,” Lasry told CNBC. “We’ll have the playoffs, but that’s gonna be awhile away….I think we’ve gotta get back to everything being open.”

In addition to Las Vegas, another possible location to hold the rest of the season could be the World Disney World Resort property in Orlando, according to The Athletic. The property has 12 on-site basketball courts, with two capable of broadcasting games for NBA purposes, according to Yahoo Sports. The property is also private, allowing players, coaches, executives, media, families and others to isolate without coming into contact with the public. Hotel rooms and restaurants are also plentiful at the famous theme park resort.

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