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Poll: 72% of fans say they won't feel safe at a sporting event until a COVID-19 vaccine is ready

Poll: 72% of fans say they won't feel safe at a sporting event until a COVID-19 vaccine is ready
Posted at 1:42 PM, Apr 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-16 14:41:59-04

While pro sports leagues try and figure out a way to resume play while keeping players and officials safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, a significant number fans believe that sports shouldn't return for the remainder of the year.

According to a poll from Seton Hall University, 40 percent of respondents believe that professional sports should not be played for the remainder of 2020.

Should professional leagues decide to continue play, most fans believe that games should be held with no fans in attendance (21 percent of respondents) or restricted fan attendance (23 percent).

In fact, 72 percent of those surveyed said they would not feel safe watching a sporting event in person until a coronavirus vaccine has been developed. Health experts believe that in a best-case scenario, a vaccine would be available in the fall of 201.

The findings come as MLB has floated the possibility of all 30 MLB teams playing home games in Arizona or at Spring Training sites to limit travel. The league has yet to sign off on that plan, but reports indicated that under the proposal, the league would begin to play by June.

Infographic: No Pro Sports in 2020? | Statista You will find more infographics at Statista

The NBA and NHL continue to play the waiting game before getting clearance to finish their seasons.

The NFL is not slated to open its 2020 season until September, but has moved ahead with its offseason plans as scheduled — though it has placed travel and visiting restrictions for players, prospects and league officials. The league still plans to release its 2020 schedule on May 9.