Texas Gov.: Pro sports, with some fans, will return in June

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that a limited number of fans will be allowed at outdoor pro sporting events in most of the state. John Gutierrez-USA TODAY Sports

Texas governor says pro sports, with some fans, will return in June

By Zac Wassink | Last updated May 28, 2020 4:10 PM ET

Earlier this spring, states such as Florida, New York, Arizona, Nevada and California all welcomed professional sports leagues and competitions back amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott went one step further on Thursday.

As ESPN's Field Yates tweeted, Abbott declared that pro sports can return to Texas in June and that venues can be filled up to 25 percent of their capacity:

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a revised order: not only will professional sports leagues be allowed to resume play in June, but outdoor stadiums will be allowed to host fans up to 25% of their capacity.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 28, 2020

NASCAR and the UFC have run multiple events this month without spectators in attendance. While the PGA canceled the scheduled John Deere Classic for July, the Tour plans to run at least four tournaments without fans beginning in June.

On Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league's 24-team model for the crowning of a Stanley Cup champion. Those playoff games are tentatively scheduled to begin in late July without fans.

The Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers are among franchises hoping to welcome at least some fans for home NFL games beginning in September.

Earlier this month, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith told reporters he believes up to 50,000 spectators could attend Buckeyes home games this fall if guidelines related to large gatherings during the virus outbreak are "relaxed" by state and local governments.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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