The National Basketball Association (NBA) store is seen in Beijing on Oct 9, 2019. (GREG BAKER / AFP)

The NBA, which was the first pro league to suspend play amid the COVID-19 pandemic, made US$1.5 billion less than it projected last season due to the pandemic and other factors, according to an Associated Press report.

The league shut down March 11, then returned to finish a shortened season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando.

That restricted access, all-inclusive bubble, which was run at an estimated cost of US$200 million, was one of the factors that hit the NBA’s bottom line

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That restricted access, all-inclusive bubble, which was run at an estimated cost of US$200 million, was one of the factors that hit the NBA’s bottom line.

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The league’s Board of Governors is currently meeting to discuss the start date for the 2020-21 season, potential fan attendance and possibly a shortened schedule., with a push to start the 2020-21 NBA season by Christmas apparently gaining momentum.

The Athletic reported Friday that the NBA is targeting a Dec. 22 start date and a 72-game regular season that would finish before the start of the 2021 Summer Olympics, which are set to begin on July 23 in Tokyo.