NBA coaches' union fears Disney restart could put future jobs at risk
The NBA Coaches Association believes the league's health and safety regulations in its restart plan could prevent staffers deemed at risk for contracting the coronavirus from gaining future employment.
"The health and safety of all NBA coaches is our main concern. However, we are also concerned with a coach's opportunity to work and to not have their ability to secure future jobs be severely jeopardized," the NBCA said in a statement to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe.
"Adam (Silver) and the NBA have created a situation in Orlando that is likely far safer than in our coaches' home markets," the statement continues. "Absent a significant threat, we believe a coach should be able to understand and assume their individual risks, waive liability, and coach in Orlando."
The NBA reportedly has authority to bar coaches deemed at risk of contracting COVID-19 from entering its campus environment. People aged 65 or older are more at risk of death from contracting COVID-19, according to the CDC.
However, the NBCA says it has been assured by the league that coaches won't be excluded from its restart "solely because of age."
The New Orleans Pelicans' Alvin Gentry (65), Houston Rockets bench boss Mike D'Antoni (69), and the San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich (71) are all set to appear at Walt Disney World Resort next month.
D'Antoni and Gentry's agent, Warren LeGarie, appeared to hint at potential legal action if the issue isn't resolved in a satisfactory manner.
"I hope there is a basketball solution to this issue rather than a legal one," LeGarie said.