Basketball in the Magic Kingdom?

Nothing is definite yet as to when and where the NBA will resume play and the problem is how to contain teams in one area to limit travel and exposure to CoVid-19.  The league has come up with the idea of a “bubble city” to quarantine all 30 teams (16 if they decide to go right into the playoffs) and several sites had been considered like Las Vegas, the Bahamas, Atlantic City in New Jersey and Los Angeles.  Recent reports say that an interesting venue was seriously considered – the Walt Disney World Resort at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 

Sitting on a 39-square mile property, the resort has the facilities that the league requires including multiple courts.   Almost 5,000 hotel rooms are available with access to food and beverage outlets as well as swimming pools, not to mention the theme parks and rides which players and staff can use to relax during downtime.  Broadcasting will never be a problem.  ESPN and ABC has a direct partnership with the NBA and both companies are owned by Disney.   Because of the existing infrastructure, there will be ample space for interview rooms and Disney hotels are equipped to be configured for easy access in filming.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is within the vicinity of the hotels so it will make sense for it to serve as the main hub of all basketball activities.  Probably at least two to four games will be played at a time for the league to maximize schedules.  There will

also be a need for practice gyms for teams not scheduled to play and the area can provide these requirements.  Within the complex are three stadiums - the HP Field House, the Visa Center and The Arena, all broadcast-ready.

The Visa center and The Arena can be reconfigured to fit at least twelve basketball courts.  Facilities of the Orlando Magic are nearby and can also be used by the league. 

Restricting access to hotels and playing venues in other proposed areas can be done but closing streets and other surrounding areas would be difficult as they are used by the public.   Disney World is a private property and is the perfect place to create a bubble city as they can easily block all entry and exit points to the resort.  In sum, it is a self-contained city.

As an added boost to the NBA, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, declaring that live professional sports are essential services, signed an executive order allowing it to return operations provided it remains closed to the public with only the needed personnel present. 

Considering everything, the Magic Kingdom is the most logical venue if and when the NBA decides to resume play.