Dr. Fauci says NFL games in half-full stadiums is ‘feasible’

Sports leagues are still in the process of determining when it will be safe to begin or resume play, and one of the biggest questions is whether or not fans will be allowed to attend games. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, there is a chance of that happening by the time football season is upon us.

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, spoke with Peter King of NBC Sports about some of the issues the NFL is up against. Fauci said that ultimately “the virus will make the decision for us” with regard to how sports leagues proceed, but he would not rule out NFL teams being able to play in partially filled stadiums come September.

“If the virus is so low that even in the general community the risk is low, then I could see filling a third of the stadium or half the stadium so people could be six feet apart,” Fauci said. “I mean, that’s something that is again feasible depending on the level of infection.”

Fauci said the level of infection is still so prevalent that it would be “impossible” to begin the NFL season right now, but he stressed that there are a lot of unknowns. The availability of testing — which is expected to be significantly increased by August and September — will be key to the NFL and other leagues.

“I keep getting back to that: It’s going to depend. Like, right now, if you fast forward, and it is now September. The season starts. I say you can’t have a season — it’s impossible,” Fauci said. “There’s too much infection out there. It doesn’t matter what you do. But I would hope that by the time you get to September it’s not gonna be the way it is right now.”

Last month, Fauci said sports will only be able to return if fans are removed from the equation. He was speaking about baseball and basketball, however, which are already behind schedule. The NFL and college football have time on their side at the moment.