NBA Raising Credit Line, Considering ‘Numerous’ Contingency Plans

The NBA’s board of governors continues to discuss how the league will move forward after suspending the season due to the coronavirus. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the league is raising its credit line from $650 million to $1.2 billion to help the league pay expenses during an extended stoppage in play.

Wojnarowski notes that the NBA is discussing various contingency plans, like shortening early playoff series to best-of-five, while waiting for financial projections on lost revenues:

The NBA has been considering numerous contingency plans, which include playing only several more regular-season games and shortening early playoff series from best-of-seven to best-of-five, but everything remains fluid, sources said.

Teams are hoping the league will soon give direction on possible drop-dead dates for starting the season, but the NBA doesn’t seem to be rushing to lock itself into a scenario. NBA owners are awaiting the league’s financial projections on lost revenues, which are expected to be shared with them soon, sources said.

Tuesday’s board of governors call also involved a briefing from former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy:

Murthy told the board of governors that he was more optimistic in recent days, once state officials took the lead in trying to mitigate the transmission of the virus, sources said. Murthy’s words were consistent with those of other credible health officials, warning those on the call that the worst is yet to come.

”Basically, [Dr. Murthy] said: The only good news is that people are starting to stay home,” one high-ranking league official told ESPN. “No one left that call thinking we could be playing anytime soon.”

You can read more from Wojnarowski’s report here.