The National Basketball Association is still finalizing details regarding its partnership with Walt Disney World. Players will reportedly be spread among three unspecified Disney-owned resorts.
In his latest update, NBA reporter Keith Smith indicates that the NBA will have a presence at three separate resorts on Walt Disney World property. While the two parties have an agreement in principle to host league operations beginning in July, many details are still being worked out including the resorts that will be made available to the league.
Smith states that "Coronado Springs will be the primary hub, but other Disney owned & operated deluxe resorts are likely to be involved as well. Which ones are TBD."
Per Disney sources: Resorts for the NBA are still being negotiated. Teams are now likely to be housed within three different resorts. Coronado Springs will be the primary hub, but other Disney owned & operated deluxe resorts are likely to be involved as well. Which ones are TBD.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 10, 2020
With Disney Vacation Club having a presence at most Deluxe properties, it remains to be seen exactly how much separation will exist between NBA players and the general public. In recent days, we've seen drastic reductions in DVC villa availability at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House and Disney's Riviera Resort. However, many members are still holding reservations for these properties from July forward, and there have been no reports of a mass relocation effort on the part of DVC.
Disney and the league may be discussing plans to host players at other deluxe resorts, with some physical separation between players and the public. Placing athletes on separate floors, separate wings or even separate buildings in certain resort may be adequate to suit their needs.
The only Deluxe hotel without a Disney Vacation Club component is Disney's Yacht Club Resort, which is still physically linked to Disney's Beach Club Resort.
Smith also says that it will be up to the NBA to decide how to assign rooms among the various teams, broadcasters, referees and other league personnel partcipating in this venture.
