You can mark your calendars for the 49ers’ 2020 season pretty soon, but you probably shouldn’t use a permanent marker.
The NFL still plans to unveil its regular-season schedule late next week, league spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Saturday morning.
“We plan to start on time,” McCarthy said.
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Whether that actually comes to fruition amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic remains to be seen.
The 49ers are slated to play the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Washington at Levi’s Stadium. They have another road game scheduled in California in the Rams’ new stadium, but whether or not those games are played will be out of the 49ers and the NFL’s hands.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a four-stage plan to reopen sectors of the state’s economy earlier this week. Sporting events without fans would occur in Stage 3, and Newsom said the state won’t allow fans in stadiums and arenas until California reaches Stage 4. That will only happen “once therapeutics are developed,” according to Newsom.
[RELATED: Staley gets injury settlement heading into 2020 season]
Next week’s schedule release will include a Sept. 10 season opener and Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7, 2021. The NFL, however, is considering multiple scenarios for the season depending upon the status of the pandemic, according to Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand and Ben Fischer. The league could start as late as Oct. 15 and still end with the Super Bowl in February, Ourand and Fisher reported.
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The NFL is not considering playing its season in centralized locations, Fowler reported citing a source. Such a plan would minimize the risks of the virus’ transmission associated with travel, but limiting movement and housing full teams and staff presents additional logistical hurdles.
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