ESPN report: NHL closing locker rooms to media over coronavirus concerns

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Procedures for media may look a little differently at Bridgestone Arena following a Predators game.

According to a report from ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the NHL plans on closing locker room access to media amid concerns about the spread of coronavirus.

The report cites the policy came about after a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The league could implement the new policy as soon as Saturday. The NHL has already banned international travel for league office employees, and this is taking it one step further.

The league office also told ESPN on Monday that they were looking into plans for the 2019-20 playoffs should the concern grow in the United States.

UPDATE: The Nashville Predators are in Dallas Saturday for a meeting with the Stars. An official spokesperson for the team tells us, ” We have not heard anything from the league. We will be operating business as usual until they communicate anything. “

However, the home team, Dallas, is taking precautions despite not officially deemed NHL protocol.

#GoStars will have players interviews in the formal press conference room, but we have just been told that closing the dressing room to media members is not ⁦@NHL⁩ protocol (yet) in regards to trying to stop the spread of #coronavirus ⁦@NBCDFWSports⁩ pic.twitter.com/KhfDMnmHmC

— Paul Jones (@PaulJonesNBC5) March 7, 2020