Nassau Pride 2020-21 Season Explained: Schedule, COVID-19 Protocols and more!

1. What happens if and when a player tests positive?

Any time a player tests positive for COVID-19, he will have to go through a series of steps before being able to play again.

If the player is asymptomatic, he must sit out for 10 days from when first testing positive, then pass a cardiac screen and, finally, work out alone at the team facility for two more days before being allowed to return to full team activities -- assuming there are no issues.

If the player is symptomatic, he must sit out for 10 days from when symptoms subside, then follow the same path as asymptomatic players.

If a player gets a serious case of COVID-19 -- up to and including going to the hospital -- he would have to work out alone for three days, rather than two, before being cleared to return to team activities, assuming everything checks out.

Fans can expect that if a player tests positive, he will be unable to play for at least two weeks -- and if he shows symptoms, that time frame could easily grow longer.

2. What happens if an individual or a team breaks COVID-19 protocol?

In an updated version of the health and safety protocols, the Nassau Pride laid out what the potential punishments will be for players, staff and teams that violate them. The protocol states that any "failure or refusal to comply" may subject players and staff to disciplinary action up to and including warnings, fines and/or suspensions. Anyone who is found to be non-compliant may also have to go through educational sessions on the importance of following the protocols and how they can protect both themselves and others.

In addition, teams could also be punished for failing to comply -- as well as for failing to report any "potential or actual violation, and/or any discipline imposed by the team for such violation." If teams are found to repeatedly violate the protocol, they could be subject to "enhanced discipline." It specifically pointed out that any violations that lead to spreading the coronavirus to other teams, and as a result require adjustments to the Nassau Pride's schedule or impact any other team, could cause punishments up to, and including, "fines, suspensions, and/or being forced to forfeit games.

3. Will games be suspended for positive tests?

Much like the NBA and NFL, potential game suspensions or postponements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. NFL teams have tried to play through the schedule when only a handful of players test positive in an organization, but schedules have had to be altered in outbreak situations.

The ABA remains confident in its protocols, but it remains to be seen how it will handle the situation if several players on one team test positive at the same time.

4. How is the season schedule different?

There will be only 12 games needed to qualify for the playoffs, down from the typical 16-20 games. The season will begin January 2nd and run through March 13th. The championship is slated to be held in Kansas City, Missouri in mid-April.

5. Will there be fans at games?

In consultation with local and state health officials. No fans will be permitted at Nassau Pride games for the start of the season. We will broadcast Home Games via various media platforms.

"We are optimistic that conditions will improve in the coming months and hope to be able to have fans in attendance later in the season."  -- Darrin Eakins, President of Basketball Operations

6. What about the possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine?

The vaccine will not be required by players or staff.

7. Will there be a playoff bubble?

It is too early to say. The ABA has not released the playoff format or schedule yet, however, there is built-in flexibility for how the ABA is planning to approach the season, and while a playoff bubble could be a possibility, if needed, the hope for the league would be for the postseason to be as "normal" as possible, including fans in the arenas. Exterior factors will determine much of that, and it's impossible to predict what the situation might be in late Spring.

8. What would it take for the ABA to suspend the season?

It remains unclear. In the health and safety protocol, this is what the league said with regard to the potential for suspending the season: "The occurrence of independent cases or a small or otherwise expected number of COVID-19 cases will not require a decision to suspend or cancel the 2020-21 season."

We designed our protocols to "promote prevention and mitigation strategies to reduce exposure to, and transmission of, the coronavirus," but that it is likely some players and staff will contract the virus.

After seeing the complications the NFL and MLB have had in playing their seasons outside of a bubble format, we know that the ABA has the potential for similar issues.