While the revival of Hollywood sports and the major leagues seems to be hampered by the spike in coronavirus cases, some of the biggest players in the arena want Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi to change the rules of the game in their favor.
“Whether it’s professional and college sporting events, the next must-see movie, a noteworthy TV series, or a branded production on Broadway, we can’t imagine a long-term recovery. term of these American experiences without some form of business interruption insurance that mitigates the risks associated with producing these popular COVID-era events and programs that the country is currently facing, “said a letter. sent today by the NFL, NASCAR, MPA, DGA, IASTE, SAG-AFTRA and PGA to the Senate, Majority Leader, Speaker of the House and their respective teams.
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“In short, the ability of US companies like ours to purchase pandemic risk insurance will be a key factor in the US economic recovery,” added July 1 correspondence, obtained by Deadline. “We are ready to work with all parties on both sides of the Capitol to ensure that the US economy can restart effectively and is ready to face future pandemic-related disruptions,” says industry note Dream Team (READ HERE).
Still, the request in today’s letter to congressional leaders has met with some resistance from Republicans, sources say.
Simply put, since reopening plans are failing in many red states as well as California, the political risks associated with compensating “special interests” like the affluent sports leagues and Tinseltown do not probe voters well. GOP who have already been TKO. d by closings, closings and the economic fall of the health crisis.
“There may be a time for that, but it may not be the case now,” a legislative insider told Deadline on Wednesday of the latest request. Coming just two days after an inked letter from a studio lobby group, the Motion Picture Association, the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and the Independent Film & Television Alliance, this new request is being pushed by Fox , Did we learn.
With its heavy reliance on sports and strong relationships with the GOP, the media company led by Lachlan Murdoch is probably best placed among the interested parties to pass legislation through Congress and the office of Donald Trump in a reasonably timely period. Fox Corporation had no comments today on the letter and its role in drafting it.
With the current wave of the virus on the rise and a second dreaded wave expected in the fall looming, the bottom line is sport and production want a financial safety net before walking the field or the tray. As governors and mayors prepare to strike a mole against the coronavirus in what has become a patchwork of measures across America, the risk that stadiums, racetracks and studios may suddenly be closed after reopening expensive leaves many people on fragile soil – to say the least.
Approaching the start of the game scheduled for September 10, the NFL also plans to protect itself further by having fans sign a waiver when they enter stadiums. With that, there are doubts about how these documents would be legally binding if people started to get sick or die.
In terms of timing, today’s letter makes it clear that the earliest is much better than the latter for hindered sports and leisure businesses. However, I hear that realistically everyone concerned is more likely to see real relief early next year, once the presidential, congressional and local elections are over.
Today’s letter also comes as California Gov Gavin Newsom seeks to stem the rising tide of coronaviruses in the Golden State with new restrictions imposed in 19 counties, including LA. While confirmed cases of COVID-19 in California increased by almost 4.5% overnight to just over 230,000 and by almost 2% to almost 6,100 deaths, Newsom ended the restaurant recently opened in restaurants, cinemas, cellars and tasting rooms, zoo entertainment centers, games rooms and museums.
The new measures are expected to last over the next three weeks, with further moves expected by LA County and the city of angels hit hard before the July 4 holiday weekend.
