Warriors submit COVID-19 plan to allow for 50% capacity at home games

The Golden State Warriors are leading the pack when it comes to submitting plans to host fans at home games during the upcoming NBA season. 

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reports that the Warriors are hoping that California officials allow them to reopen the Chase Center at 50% capacity for the 2020-21 season in a plan that has been called "Operation DubNation."

Team owner Joe Lacob is dedicated to making this plan become reality, saying he's willing to spend over $30 million to test every single fan entering the arena for COVID-19. Lacob believes not allowing fans into arenas to watch home games could be catastrophic for not only the Warriors, but all NBA teams down the road. 

“I not only want to get this done and show the world how we can do it now, I’m willing to spend the money to do it,” said Lacob, who holds a master’s degree in public health from UCLA and built his fortune as a venture capitalist in biotechnology. “This is a serious, serious problem. It cannot go on for multiple years … because if this were to go on for several years, the NBA is no more.

“You cannot sustain this league with no fans. You can do it for a year. We’ll all get by for a year. But suppose we’re in this situation next year. Now we’re talking some serious, serious financial damage to a lot of people.”

What Lacob is saying does make sense. While the NBA bubble in Walt Disney World was very successful, it's not something that is sustainable for the duration of an entire season. Players also probably wouldn't agree to remain in a bubble away from their families for months on end. 

More importantly, though, Lacob is willing to spend the money to make his plan for Golden State work. It would be different if he wasn't spending the money. 

The NBA recently sent a memo to teams outlining protocols for limited capacity at games this coming season. All fans attending games must wear masks and spectators who are within 30 feet of the court must return a negative COVID-19 test before entering the arena. 

Lacob's plan could work, but it won't be easy getting California officials to agree to it. No professional sports league in the United States has seen a team host fans at 50% capacity since the pandemic began, and as cases continue to rise across the country, it doesn't seem like something that will happen any time soon.