Boston mayor hasn't closed door on sporting events this summer

While Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has banned large events in the city through at least the beginning of September, he hasn't ruled out the potential for the Boston Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics to host games this summer.

Massachusetts is one of the hardest-hit areas in the United States for the coronavirus outbreak, and Walsh stated that certain health and safety protocols must be in place for Boston teams to return to action. Those include no fans in attendance and the city signing off on the protocols that will keep everyone safe.

“Yes, as long as the players and the teams and the support staff and all the people that are associated with it are safe and feel comfortable,” Walsh said during a Friday morning telephone interview, according to Michael Silverman of The Boston Globe. 

“Obviously, their health is important to me as well. Many of them are constituents of mine, and even if they’re not constituents of mine, I obviously want people to be healthy and safe. That’s going to be the biggest challenge that they’re going to have to figure out and meet if they’re going to move forward here.”

MLB is trying to reach an agreement with the players' union to begin a shortened season in July, but players don't seem too keen on the idea. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell noted Thursday that he will not play with a reduced salary, and a few big-name players agreed with him on that front. 

Similarly, the NBA and NHL are exploring various options to resume their seasons. The NBA has the option to continue the season in Las Vegas or Walt Disney World, but no decision has been made.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is against canceling the 2019-20 season, but there has been no word on more realistic options to resume the hockey season. Many arenas have already melted their ice, but it can be restored rather easily if the season picks up again. Although, the ice conditions may not be so great in the summer months ... especially at TD Garden, where the ice is constantly a complaint among players. 

Whatever happens, at least the Boston mayor hasn't ruled out sports in the city this summer, because it certainly seemed like he was going to before Friday.