NCAA considering multiple cities for 'bubble' sites

The NCAA appears to be putting together a plan where college basketball will be played in a handful of bubbles. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NCAA considering multiple cities for basketball 'bubble' sites

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Sep 1, 2020 3:46 PM ET

It's looking more likely that at least portions of the 2020-21 college basketball season, if one exists amid the coronavirus pandemic, will occur inside of isolated "bubble" sites.

On Tuesday, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported that the NCAA has Washington D.C. and Indianapolis listed among potential candidates to create temporary hubs for basketball programs.

Sources: The Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. has emerged as a candidate to host a preseason bubble during the upcoming college basketball season.

A location to watch during the "Golden Window".
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 1, 2020

Source: Indianapolis --- the home of the NCAA's national office --- is another location that has emerged as a candidate to host a bubble during the upcoming college basketball season.

Something to monitor during the "Golden Window".
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 1, 2020

Source: Among the biggest questions resonating among those involved with potential non-conference bubbles in college basketball is what exactly will happen with the contracts of games that were initially scheduled.

Many layers will be left after NCAA's September announcement https://t.co/alA4S1sE0I
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 1, 2020

Previously, Rothstein claimed that Orlando, the home of the NBA's bubble for its return-to-play scenario, could potentially house multiple early-season nonconference college tournaments or competitions. Kentucky coach John Calipari has said he's in favor of moving his team to a bubble for the annual Champions Classic event.

Rothstein's latest tweets surfaced roughly 24 hours after ESPN confirmed the NCAA applied for the trademark to the "Battle in the Bubble" phrase that could be attached to competitions and merchandise. It's unknown if that trademark would apply to the 20-team bubble format reportedly proposed by Houston event operator Rhossi Carron that would involve fixtures occurring between Dec. 1 and Dec. 21.

An NCAA update on the states of 2020-21 basketball calendars is expected by mid-September, but that could be pushed back if the Big Ten is seriously reconsidering its decision to postpone football and other fall sports.

The Big Ten and Pac-12 canceled fall competitions on Aug. 11.

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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