Sports leagues were among the many industries brought to a halt this spring. While each league and association certainly has the freedom to proceed as they see best, one organization’s provisions have yielded undoubtedly the best results so far. The NBA took decisive and restrictive action to pursue their goal of finishing the 2019/ 2020 season. The league’s heightened discipline has proven successful and serves as a reminder for us to take a sober look at the challenges ahead, create a plan, and move forward.
“Prepare for the worst, …”
The NBA’s approach is remarkable for three reasons:
The NBA produced a 100+ page rule book setting expectations for the Orlando campus at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The NBA continues to do the difficult work of isolation, balancing wants with needs, and maintaining a “bubble” for the league to operate within. Lastly, the NBA isn’t just testing for cases; they are working to eliminate the possibility of transmissions from the start. All of this has resulted in zero cases of COVID-19 for five straight weeks.
The NBA arranged testing and on-site accommodations with a New Jersey medical lab, ensuring they have tests available for everyone inside the bubble. Every player is tested every single day, and any symptoms they may have are reported every morning. The medical lab, which has staff inside the Orlando campus doing the daily swabbing, oversees the entire testing process. There is a strict protocol in place for potential positive tests which mandates that a player must subsequently test negative for the virus twice before being allowed to rejoin his teammates. The league’s close access to testing means players are tested and, upon receiving those negative results, back on the court within days rather than needing to quarantine for two weeks.
The league has had to make many difficult decisions in order to get to this point. Each team was permitted a maximum of 37 people inside the bubble, to include players, coaches, trainers, and front-office personnel. Each team was encouraged to bring a mental health professional as part of that 37 person group. Players who did not want – or were medically unable – to participate were excused. Some teams were left out of this restart season. The season itself was dramatically shortened and none of the players or staff may leave the campus without permission. No family was initially permitted, though during playoffs teams may allow up to four guests per player, provided they follow the very strict rules themselves. None of the players business partners, like agents, personal chefs, etc., are permitted at all.
While players are technically allowed to leave the bubble, doing so without an excused absence is discouraged. Permitted absences carry a four-day quarantine. If anyone leaves without permission, upon re-entering they must undergo ten days of quarantine and a deeper level of testing, rather than the usual testing used daily. They also will have reduced pay for any game they miss during the absence. There is separate isolation housing for those who do test positive and an entire protocol outlined for handling the possibility. The campus also has an anonymous hotline to report anyone suspected of breaking the rules.
Every aspect of life inside at the Orlando campus has been considered and outlined in this rule book. Entertainment options, meals corresponding to each player’s diet and preferences, mental health professionals, league trainers have all been accounted for and provided. The NBA is of course larger than just the many players and coaches. There are thousands of workers involved within the Orlando campus, each of whom are also tested regularly and able to work only because of this disciplined approach.
The NBA and NBAPA have agreed to restrictions and surveillance which, under any other circumstances, would be considered Orwellian and intrusive. The objectives and purposes for these dramatic measures are all in service of one clear goal; to put on a 2020 season.
The NBA is dealing with reality, and finding the best ways to accomplish their goal. The facing a series of difficult decisions, the results so far have been a largely smooth and successful 2019-2020 NBA season. While other leagues are hoping to have some semblance of a season – yet refusing to implement strict protocols – they are left on the sidelines, hoping. The NBA took decisive action and is reaping the rewards.
Remarkably, the season is progressing according to plan. The season has started and sports fans everywhere are thankful for their return. There have been no cancellations or schedule changes due to COVID-19. The playoffs kicked off this week, and there has not yet been a confirmed positive test at the Orlando campus, despite the recent spikes in Florida.
The NHL has also taken the “bubble” approach of isolating players and personnel and are seeing their own stunning results. Like the NBA, the league consulted with infectious disease experts, implemented regular testing, and made the decision to keep the playoffs sequestered in Canada to avoid the spiking rates of the US. Again, the league made decisive choices from the start, and have remained disciplined throughout the season. The NHL is also prepared to stay the course and reach their end goal of a crowning a champion this season. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told ESPN, “This is just another step in what has been a long journey and still has many, many miles to go before we get to the ultimate place that we’re all striving for, which is the conclusion of the [2019-20] season and the presentation of what we all believe is the best trophy in all of sports.“
These leagues didn’t hope that hundreds of young men would act responsibly and follow the precautions; they created an environment where discipline was the only option. The temporary removal of anything not related to health and competition has been removed for the time being. Yes, these players and personnel are sacrificing time with family and their freedom to travel, but they are maintaining their health while continuing their professional careers and abilities. These athletes are also putting themselves in a position to win, regardless of the unfamiliar circumstances around them. The seasons of these two leagues are examples of forgoing short-term freedom for long-term results.
“… hope for the best.”
Meanwhile, other leagues are floundering in their less-stringent attempts to keep players and personnel safe. MLB continues to kick their decisions down the road. The league has no bubble, and no real system in place for addressing COVID-19. Accordingly, teams are experiencing setbacks, with dozens of players being hospitalized with the virus, and playing multiple doubleheaders to make up for the hospitalizations. The lack of concentrated effort from the leadership has thrown the idea of completing the baseball season into chaos.
Likewise, NCAA football leadership refuses to make a strong decision. While the NCAA postponed all other championships, they left the door open for football. The players want to play, but there have been no stringent guidelines implemented for the players or coaching staffs. Schools around the country are hoping for the best. The NFL is hoping for a turn-around. They all seem unwilling to treat this virus as ruthlessly as the NBA and NHL, though.
The stunning results the NBA have produced are forged from difficult decisions engineered to achieve a specific result. The NBA dealt with the reality of COVID-19’s highly infectious qualities and developed restrictions and rules for everyone involved to work together to achieve a common goal. The NBA acknowledged and planned for reality. They didn’t hope reality would work with their plans.
More than bring a bit of normalcy and entertainment to sports fans, the NBA response to COVID-19 is a masterclass in facing reality. Their precautions and strict limits are wisdom and discipline in action. By gaining as much information as possible about the virus, and implementing rules, observations, and practices with the greatest chance of succeeding, the NBA is demonstrating what it means to act with informed discipline. They are not, like so many others, doing very little and hoping for the best. They are actively taking steps to put themselves in a position to succeed and accomplish their goals.
This isn’t about viral pandemics. It’s about disciplined and sober planning for success. Other leagues want the same results (zero positive cases), but aren’t willing to make the same sacrifices, for whatever reasons. They are implementing as few restrictions as possible, while hoping for a turnaround. The results speak volumes.
There are no shortcuts. Our level of preparation must match reality. We must ruthlessly address challenges and potential set-backs. When the extent of our preparations is “hope”, we guarantee our own failure.
Marcus Aurelius wrote about facing the challenge ahead of you, “Attend to the matter which is before thee, whether it is an opinion or an act or a word.” It is our duty to address what is right in front of us, no matter how challenging it seems. Centuries later, physicist Dennis Gabor wrote, “The future cannot be predicted, but futures can be invented,” in his book, Inventing the Future. We have a role to play in inventing the future, and it will almost certainly come down to how well we address and respond to challenge.
In one of the most famous passages ever committed to pen, Sun Tzu, in his legendary The Art of War, wrote about the need for preparations in terms of warfare:
“Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can forsee who is likely to win or lose.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War (emphasis mine)
Considered calculations and restrictions will result in higher achievement, not lower. Trading a current state of contentment for one of mandatory testing and close supervision isn’t enjoyable for anyone, but it has proven to essential for leagues getting back to playing sports. It’s essential in achieving any goal. Set yourself up to succeed by seeking out the plausible reality of the path you’re considering and creating a realistic set of milestones and disciplines to help you realize those goals.
The NBA and NHL both decided on isolation, expert analysis, and strict protocols for the time being in order to successfully put on 2020 seasons. Successful planning depends on a willingness to face reality, not just the best case scenario. The disciplined approach has resulted, thus far, in healthy and productive seasons.
We’re all facing challenges right now, whether it’s decisions about schooling children, working from home, visiting family, or any of the countless changes this pandemic has brought to our lives. The scope of the challenge doesn’t matter; you approach every one in the same way. By gathering information, understanding the risks and plausible outcomes, planning for obstacles and challenges, and finally taking disciplined action, you adequately prepare yourself for battle. Don’t let fear or the scope of a problem keep you from preparing for it. Remember, knowledge is a tool to help us overcome problems. Don’t sell yourself short by hoping for solutions instead of seeking them out.
