Dr. Anthony Fauci says ‘football may not happen this year’ due to coronavirus

Dr. Anthony Fauci just poured cold water on football fans’ hopes of seeing some action on the gridiron this year.

The top U.S. infectious disease specialist told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta that "it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall."

"If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year," Fauci said.

If the NFL and NCAA seasons were to be canceled, broadcasters including ViacomCBS Inc., Fox Corp., Comcast Corp. and Walt Disney Co. would be among the most exposed. More than 80 percent of the 50 most-watched programs on TV last year were NFL games.

A spokesperson for the NFL didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

Fauci's statement comes after several players from the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans were reported on Monday to have tested positive for COVID-19. Ezekiel Elliott, the start running back for the Cowboys, was among the players who was reported to have tested positive.

Many NFL teams and college programs had already started voluntary workouts in preparation for the 2020 season. The NCAA approved a six-week pre-season practice plan for 2020 on Wednesday.

A season without football, which is the primary cash generator for college athletic departments, could stretch school budgets and cause further cuts to other non-revenue generating sports.

College baseball teams are among the many sports that have already been permanently eliminated amid the pandemic.

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