NFL outlines next steps, guidelines for bringing some employees back

In a memo from the NFL to its teams, the league said it’s preparing for the next phase of reopening club facilities.

The most recent phase began on May 19, when clubs were permitted to reopen with no more than 50% of staff in the facility and a maximum of 75 people permitted.

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The only players allowed in the facilities would be players who were rehabilitating injuries.

In the latest memo, Commissioner Roger Goodell said teams have done well in this first phase.

“To date, clubs that have reopened their facilities have done so in a safe and effective way and reopening has not included coaching staffs to ensure competitive equity. In the meantime, almost all states with NFL clubs have either relaxed limitations on business activities and related ‘stay at home’ orders or have announced plans to do so in the near future,” Goodell said.

On June 1, clubs will be permitted to reopen ticket offices, retail shops and other customer-facing facilities as long as they comply with state and local regulations.

The employees in those operations will count against the 50%-75 maximum rule.

Goodell also said he expects that clubs will be permitted to have members of the coaching staffs among the employees permitted to return to work as early as next week. The league is working with governors, state and local officials in states that haven’t announced definitive plans yet.

Once all NFL cities are permitted to have a return to facilities, the league will announce a date when coaches may return. The league is also working with the NFLPA on protocols to allow some players to return on a limited basis.

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