Credit: Daily Snark

The Florida team has a mock-up of how a pandemic-compliant game would work.

With the coronavirus still at large and keeping us six feet apart, the sports industry, specifically the part serving in-person spectators, has hit a rough patch. Obviously, several thousand fans crammed into a stadium doesn’t jive with social distancing guidelines. Many teams have been wracking their brains as to how they can get butts in stadium seats without putting fans’ health at risk. The Miami Dolphins might have an idea, or at least the first inkling of an idea.

Tom Garfinkel, CEO and President of the Dolphins, appeared on Good Morning America today to discuss his team’s plans for a 2020 season stadium format. The Dolphins hold their home turf, Hard Rock Stadium, to a high standard. In fact, they have previously earned the Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s STAR accreditation, awarded to facilities that go above and beyond in their maintenance and hygiene. It’s with GBAC’s aid that the Dolphins are putting their new plan together.

“When our fans, players and staff are able to return to Hard Rock Stadium, we want them to have peace of mind that we’re doing everything we can to create the safest and healthiest environment possible,” Garfinkel explained. “We didn’t want to create our own standard, we wanted to be accountable to the most credible third-party standard that exists. Working with the GBAC ensures compliances with critical guidelines for the highest standard of cleanliness and it is our hope that other venues will follow suit as we navigate through these unprecedented times.”

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As for the actual plan, it starts with a reduction of participants. Despite Hard Rock Stadium’s capacity of 65,000, entry would only be allowed to around 15,000. All fans would be required to wear masks at all time, and instead of waiting in line at a concessions stand, they would order their food in advance from their seat, only getting up to go retrieve it.

“We would have times to come in for security at different gates so people would be separated out, in terms of when they enter the stadium,” Garfinkel said. “We would exit the stadium much like a church environment, where each row exits so people aren’t filing out all at the same time in a herd.”

The NFL is currently scheduled to resume the football season on September 10. Plans will be adjusted based on the state of the pandemic.