But when one of its players came down with the virus, North America's most progressive sports league went with the nuclear option: they shut it all down.
The NBA chose to indefinitely postpone its regular season, a decision that will almost certainly cost the league millions of dollars in revenue in the short term.
The decision was unprecedented. It left league insiders shocked. Players appeared to have no idea it was coming. Outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's jaw literally dropped when he saw the announcement.
Read more
Get Face Masks