KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The NFL is forging ahead with the 2020 season, or at least making plans to, highlighted by Thursday's release of all team schedules.
That includes the slate next season for the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs, who will begin selling group and single-game tickets Friday on the team website.
The thought of attending a football game or some other big event brings a glimmer of hope as stay-at-homes orders ease amid the coronavirus pandemic.
TicketSmarter CEO Jeff Goodman said it's definitely a sign things are moving in the right direction.
Since the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament, along with all other major public events, got called off because of COVID-19 in March, business for the Overland Park ticket-seller has plunged more than 90%.
"We understand the circumstances that our fans are in and they want to be able to go to live events, but a lot of people are out of work with unemployment and so that is an issue," Goodman said.
The season for the Royals remains in limbo and may delayed until mid-summer. The team is offering credit or refunds for the games that have been canceled.
The Chiefs also announced this week that full refunds will be provided if a game is canceled and can't be rescheduled or is played without fans.
"You may not hear about it, but know that hundreds of us in our city are working behind the scenes to get you all back into the stadium safely," Kansas City Sports Commission President and CEO Kathy Nelson told 41 Action News.
Nelson is engaged daily conversations with her counterparts nationwide on what sporting events will look like in a post-COVID-19 world, though etails are still a work in progress.
"It is fascinating and frustrating and intimidating when you think about 'I don't want to be the first person,'" Nelson said. "My counterpart says, 'Well, somebody has got to be first and, out of all cities, Kansas City does it so well, it should be you.'"
Chiefs President Mark Donovan said during a schedule release special Thursday night he's been in regular contact with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Kansas City, Missouri, leaders, including Mayor Quinton Lucas.
While the virus struck on the heels of the Chiefs' Super Bowl LIV victory, Nelson doesn't believe the city has lost its momentum on the national stage.
"Everyone is missing out on that spotlight, so, yes, it hurts us," Nelson said. "But the positive thing is, we're no different than any other city right now that we all have that opportunity to come out of this bigger and better."
