With Dec. 22 in place as the NBA season’s start date, the league is working to ensure some fans can attend games. The NBA reportedly sent a memo to its 30 teams with protocols for hosting fans if permitted under local regulations.

Fans within 30 feet of the court will be required to test negative for COVID-19, either two days prior to a game or with a rapid test the day of. For suites less than 25% full, testing wouldn’t be required. The 2019 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers will not have fans at home games until further notice.

The U.S. hit its seventh consecutive day with more than 100,000 new cases Tuesday, possibly thwarting the league’s plans. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has estimated 40% of the league’s revenue comes from fans in arenas.

NBA COVID-19 Protocols:

• Fans must wear masks, socially distance and undergo symptom surveys.
• Food and drinks are not allowed within 30 feet of the court.
• Teams can install plexiglass behind benches.

The Masters may be teeing off today without spectators, but fans can still get their fill. For the first-time ever there’s an online Masters store, but a ticket to the 2020 Masters Tournament or 2020 Augusta National Women’s Amateur is required to shop at it.

During a typical Masters week, the Augusta National pro shop can sell upwards of $50 million worth of merchandise. While most items are exclusive, Fanatics is carrying the Taste of the Masters package — a collection of more modestly priced fare available at the tournament.

August National generates as much as $115 million from the tournament when fans are in attendance, and the surrounding community is missing out on upwards of $120 million in economic impact. 

Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of FanDuel and FoxBet, grew revenue 27% year-over-year during its third quarter. The company expects a loss of $212-$239 million for the year due to U.S. customer acquisition spending.

Flutter’s U.S. business was bolstered by FanDuel, which grew revenue to approximately $209 million, up 82% compared to last year. Flutter’s U.S. sportsbooks maintain 47% market share across the 11 states they operate in.

More than 450,000 new customers were acquired in the quarter when the company launched in Illinois and Tennessee. FanDuel expects to launch in Michigan and Virginia in the coming months.

Flutter Q3 by the Numbers:

$1.05 billion in revenue, up 27% year-over-year

$209 million in U.S. gaming revenue, up 82%

1.8 million active customers for FanDuel

ESPN is ending its daily coverage of the $1 billion esports industry despite recognizing the audience growth opportunity the segment presents.

The company launched an esports-specific vertical in 2016, supplementing that with broadcasting events like the Overwatch League Playoffs and the 2020 League of Legends Championship Series Spring Split Playoffs. It will still look to broadcast esports, but editorial coverage will only be done occasionally.

News of the vertical shuttering comes less than a week after the network announced its elimination of 500 jobs and an executive shake up. The Walt Disney Company — ESPN’s parent company — reports its most recent quarterly earnings today.