Not sure how many tennis fans we have in Philadelphia, but the Freedoms are going to be playing their entire in season West, by God, Virginia this year.

World Team Tennis is going with the central location concept that other leagues discussed, but instead of Orlando or Arizona or California, they’re going to set up shop at the Greenbrier instead.

Press release:

World TeamTennis announced it has committed to play the entirety of its 45th season at The Greenbrier “America’s Resort” in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. This will be the first major professional tennis league to resume operations since the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19.

All told, the 2020 World TeamTennis season will showcase a 63-match regular season over 19 consecutive days from July 12-30, with the WTT Playoffs to follow on Aug. 1 (WTT Semifinals) and Aug. 2 (WTT Final). The top four teams from WTT’s regular season standings will advance to the WTT Playoffs. CBS will air a regular season match on July 19 and the WTT Final on August 2. CBS Sports Network will carry 13 regular season matches and both semifinals on August 1.

World TeamTennis’ schedule will include at least three matches per day at The Greenbrier’s 2,500-seat outdoor stadium, with an indoor court to be installed as a backup option, for WTT’s nine franchises – the expansion Chicago Smash, New York Empire, Orange County (Calif.) Breakers, Orlando Storm, Philadelphia Freedoms, San Diego Aviators, 2018 and 2019 WTT champion Springfield (Mo.) Lasers, Vegas Rollers and Washington (D.C.) Kastles. The matches are scheduled to begin anywhere from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. ET (subject to changes in broadcast schedules).

In accordance with state health guidelines, WTT will allow up to 500 fans (20% capacity) to attend its outdoor matches. Ticket pricing and access points will be announced at a later date.

This is interesting to me because perhaps the NFL and other “major sports” can study the 20% capacity idea and proceed from there. We’ve spit balled about the concept of keeping stadiums half full, or one-third full, or perhaps just spacing people out 5-6 seats apart in order to earn a smaller amount of gate revenue while allowing fans a chance to be there in person. My gut tells me that it’s going to be easier to move fans safely in and out of an outdoor arena like Lincoln Financial Field, vs. an indoor stadium like the Wells Fargo Center.

Maybe we can all watch World Team Tennis from the great state of West Virginia and learn something to apply to the FOUR MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS.

(The Freedoms were originally slated to hold their home games at Drexel this season)