
(KCBS Radio) - Tuesday night's Golden State Warriors game at the Chase Center could be the last one we see for awhile that includes fans cheering the players on from the stands.
Pressure is mounting on the team, and the NBA, to play in empty arenas, without fans present, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The San Jose Sharks and Earthquakes are already complying with Santa Clara County's ban on events with more than 1,000 people.
San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin said we'll soon see empty stands at Chase Center as well.
"We're a little bit behind San Jose and Santa Clara, but I have no doubt we're going to get there, because that is ultimately going to be found to be the best way to stop transmission," he said. "It is only a matter of time before the city and county of San Francisco, through our chief executive and legislative branch, and our public health officials, impose that as a matter of emergency order."
The NBA and the Warriors are already keeping the media out of locker rooms and at least six feet from their players. But they're still allowing fans to continue packing the stands.
Governor Gavin Newsom said it may ultimately be up to local health officials to decide whether, when and how to ban larger gatherings, but as far as he's concerned, the league has some serious decisions to make.
"Why is it more important to keep you, as reporters, away from their players in the locker room, than keeping fans in highly contagious parts of the country together?" he said. "I think the league owes their fans more than just consideration of their players. I think they should consider more broadly the public."
Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts is meeting with San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Wednesday to discuss a possible ban on fans gathering at Chase Center. But Peskin said a ban will happen, whether it's voluntary, or by public health order.