Adam Silver, Roger Goodell, More to Discuss Sports' Return During ESPN Special

Commissioners from six major professional sports leagues in the United States will take part in a conversation on ESPN to discuss bringing games back during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Per ESPN.com, Mike Greenberg will host commissioners Roger Goodell (NFL), Adam Silver (NBA), Rob Manfred (MLB), Gary Bettman (NHL), Cathy Engelbert (WNBA) and Don Garber (MLS) in SportsCenter Special: The Return of Sports airing on Monday from 9-11 p.m. ET. 

Stephanie Druley, ESPN executive vice president, event and studio production, issued a statement about the special:

"Since sports came to a halt three months ago, we've all been eagerly awaiting their return. In this SportsCenter Special, fans will hear directly from commissioners, managers and athletes about the decisions they've made and the challenges they've faced throughout this unprecedented time, and what the resumption of sports will look like over the coming weeks and months."

In addition to discussing health and safety protocols amid the pandemic, ESPN noted other topics will include "social justice reforms among leagues, teams and players following the death of George Floyd last month while in police custody and the ensuing demonstrations throughout the United States."

ESPN also added several prominent figures from the sports world, including Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon and Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard will take part in the conversation. 

The MLS announced its season will consist of a 26-team tournament starting on July 8 with every club playing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

The NBA is scheduled to resume its season on July 30 with 22 teams each playing eight "seeding games" leading into a traditional postseason. As is the case with MLS, all games will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

The NHL has a 24-team postseason format in place but hasn't set an official date for games to begin. MLB is still negotiating with the MLB Players Association about the format and pay structure for a shortened 2020 season. 

Per ESPN's Mechelle Voepel, the WNBA proposed a 22-game regular-season schedule to the union that could be voted on soon. 

Some non-team sports have already resumed in this country. NASCAR has held seven Cup Series events since returning on May 17. The PGA Tour is holding its first tournament in three months with the Charles Schwab Challenge taking place in Fort Worth, Texas.