Another delay has been dealt to professional basketball in this province as the National Basketball League of Canada has once again bumped the start date for its season.
Originally slated for December, NBL Canada has shifted its tentative starting date until March 12 due to continuing safety concerns around COVID-19. That means the St. John’s Edge won’t see play until at least March.
A spokesperson with the league says they are all eager to return to the court, but will not take any risks to do so. Any movement towards resuming play will be done in a safe environment.
Should the season open in March, it’s expected that the league will limit the number of games played through a reduced schedule. Seating will also be limited.
Details on the season’s structure and playoff format will be included upon the release of NBL Canada’s schedule.
Meanwhile, there is no immediate word on when we might see a resumption of professional hockey in the capital city.
Public Health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including a travel ban, forced the delay of the start of the Growlers’ season to at least January.
The communications manager with the Newfoundland Growlers, Kenny O’Leary, says the situation remains fluid.
“Every single day Glenn Stanford’s in the corner of our office on the phones with the ECHL trying to figure out something that will work” says O’Leary. They expect to have a yes or no answer “soon” – within weeks – according to O’Leary.
