Florida governor opens state for pro sports: 'We'll find a place for you'
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis opened his state for professional sports Wednesday and invited leagues to resume their seasons in the Sunshine State.
"All professional sports are welcome here for practicing and for playing," DeSantis said at a news conference, according to Daisy Ruth of WFLA.
.@GovRonDeSantis says "all professional sports" are welcome to play and practice in Florida.
- Daisy Ruth (@WFLADaisy) May 13, 2020
"...there's been reports that Major League Soccer may want to have their season in Orlando. Do it. We want to have you here."
STORY: https://t.co/lkBtsz9Rdw pic.twitter.com/LDkYZNGZEP
Any leagues that resume operations in Florida would likely have to do so without fans in attendance. But the governor is confident that won't stand in the way.
"What I would tell commissioners of leagues is, 'If you have a team in an area where they just won't let them operate, we'll find a place for you in the state of Florida because we think it's important and we know that it can be done safely,'" DeSantis said.
Several leagues have already looked to Florida as a possible option to either begin or resume their seasons. Orlando could reportedly host one of the NBA's two conferences if the 2019-20 campaign resumes, while MLS is considering holding a four-to-five week tournament there starting in June.
MLB was at one time considering Florida - home to 15 teams' spring training facilities - as the host of a potentially realigned league in 2020. The league is now trying to resume by hosting games in as many home parks as possible, with Florida's Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays presumably using their normal stadiums.
A third MLB team, the Toronto Blue Jays, could be forced to play home games at their spring site in Dunedin, Florida, due to Canada's currently tightened border laws.
Florida has already hosted some sports events since the coronavirus forced league shutdowns. UFC 249 was held without spectators last weekend in Jacksonville, while the WWE has taped events at its Orlando facility.
Florida is the second state to open its doors to pro sports this week, following Arizona's announcement Tuesday.
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