California, Texas, New York To Allow Return Of Pro Sports Without Fans Beginning June 1

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Three states will allow pro sports to return to action without fans in attendance beginning June 1.

Sports has slowly started to return after two months without live sports due to the coronavirus pandemic.

NASCAR started their series of seven races in 10 days on Sunday. The PGA Tour did a charity tournament with four professionals on Sunday to raise money for COVID-19 relief. Golf will being tournament play in June without fans. Finally, German Budesliga has resumed their season without fans.

State Of California

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the news for the Golden State on Monday in a press conference.

“Sporting events, pro sports in that first week of June without spectators and modifications and very prescriptive conditions can begin to move forward,” Newsom said.

California governor Gavin Newsom states that the state (CA) could see pro sports without fans by June. pic.twitter.com/6r825bXNIy

— LAFC Central (@CentralLAFC) May 18, 2020

This impacts a lot of professional sports teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings in the NBA. The Los Angeles Rams, Chargers and San Francisco 49ers in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC in Major League Soccer. Major League Baseball teams that are impacted by this decision includes the Los Angeles Angels, Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. Finally, the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League.

Obviously, the green light from the governors does not mean that the league’s are coming back immediately. Those decisions are up to the league’s.

State Of Texas

Governor Greg Abbot said that pro sports in the Lonestar state can resume without fans beginning May 31.

Earlier today, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo encouraged pro sports teams in the state to prepare to return without fans while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said pro sports in the state can resume without fans on May 31.

— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) May 18, 2020

The sports teams that are impacted by this decision includes the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets in the NBA. MLB teams are the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros. In hockey, the Dallas Stars are the only NHL team in Texas. FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo are in MLS.

State of New York

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday that he is encouraging major sports teams to reopen without fans.

“I have been encouraging major sports teams to plan re-openings without fans, but the games could be televised,” Cuomo said. “New York State will help those major sports franchises to do just that. Hockey, basketball, baseball, football, whoever can reopen, we’re a ready, willing, and able partner.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo's full daily New York coronavirus press conference. Cuomo said N.Y. has ‘one of the best nursing home systems in the country.’ He also supported professional sports opening without fans.https://t.co/p4RPuqVvcf

— Rev Transcripts (@RevTranscripts) May 18, 2020

The Empire state has many professional sports teams including the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets in the NBA. New York City FC and the Red Bulls in MLS. New York Islanders and Rangers in the NHL as well as the New York Yankees and Mets in MLB.