As teams approach the scheduled start of training camp next month, club owners are set to meet to discuss the current state of affairs within the league.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the NFL will host a video conference meeting with owners Thursday to address a number of topics, including training camp, 2020 season planning, "Inspire Change" social justice programs and workplace diversity.
USA Today's Mike Jones first reported the news.
This latest meeting comes on the heels of several important developments regarding the league's future plans. On June 11, the NFL announced its pledge to commit $250 million over a 10-year period toward efforts aimed to combat systemic racism.
In regard to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has fundamentally altered the league's offseason, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stated on Tuesday that it is "impossible to call" at this point whether or not the pandemic will prevent the season from taking place in the fall.
"The situation this fall will be dictated by the dynamics of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States," Fauci said. "Optimally you would want to see the level of infection dramatically decreased and good control of any evidence of resurgence. Again, the officials of the league in consultation with the players will make their own decisions."
As it relates to the upcoming season and training camp, Rapoport reports that though the NFL calendar is still in flux the date to report to training camp is July 28. Multiple teams are proceeding as if players will not report to camp early. Any ramp-up period would occur after July 28. The NFL and NFL Players Association are still negotiating what exactly camp will look like and how protocols will be handled, Rapoport added.
