Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he expects fans to attend home games for the upcoming football season.
Jones said he could not say how many fans will be allowed in AT&T Stadium due to coronavirus restrictions, but noted that the 3 million-square-foot arena with an estimated 80,000 seats has plenty of room for fans to socialize.
“The Dallas Cowboys plan to play all of our football games, and we plan to play them for our fans,” he said at a news conference Wednesday, marking the opening of training camp.
“When you look at a number in the stadium, do not think of those numbers [are] come together. They are not. It will be in pods of possibly 5, 10, 15 different people, “Jones explained. Our stadium is well-suited to put together numbers of people who have chosen to come and watch the Dallas Cowboys play. “
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said professional and collegiate stadiums can operate, but only at 50 percent capacity, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Jones said they “will follow all the protocols”, but he is confident spectators can “come and have a safe experience” in the stadium.
“I find it important,” he said. ‘I find it individually important. I think it’s important for the country. I know the debate is going on. I can easily see how X percent of people will be for, it’s just not worth the effort, the kinds of efforts, risks, whatever that will go on. I believe it is. The NFL can be an inspiring part of how we approach COVID. “
Whether fans will be allowed to attend NFL games remains unclear to most teams. In a press release last month, the Falcons of Atlanta said that capacity at home games would be 10,000 to 20,000. The New England Patriots said it is up to state and local officials to decide if fans will be allowed into Gillette Stadium. If approved, the arena will only host 20 percent of its total capacity, which left some fans angry.
However, the Green Bay Packers have already announced that it will not allow fans at the first two home games of the season.
“The Packers’ third home game is on Nov. 1. Against the Minnesota Vikings. Whether fans can attend this game and others later in the season will depend on the status of the virus,” the team said in a statement earlier this year. month. “The Packers will continue to evaluate a variety of factors in consultation with local medical and public health officials.”
