Report: NBA warns players, staff against Super Bowl parties
The NBA is warning players and staff against hosting or attending Super Bowl viewing parties Sunday due to the risk of spreading COVID-19, a source told The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.
Personnel will be permitted to host a maximum of four family members or close friends at a hotel if they're on the road, but those guests will be required to undergo advanced testing first, reports The Athletic's Shams Charania. If players or staff are within their home markets, they can only watch the game with those in their household.
Medical experts have cautioned the public against congregating together for Sunday's marquee event.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor, expressed concern that large viewing parties could result in a spike of COVID-19 cases in the days that follow.
"Every time we do have something like this there always is a spike, be it a holiday, Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving," he said Wednesday on the Today Show. "As you mentioned, Super Bowl is a big deal in the United States. Enjoy the game, watch it on television, but do it with the immediate members of your family, the people in your household.
"As much fun as it is to get together in a big Super Bowl party, now is not the time to do that. Watch the game and enjoy it, but do it with your family or with people in your household."
Super Bowl LV is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs.