Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross insists the 2020 NFL season will NOT be canceled due to COVID-19 ... saying the 2020 season will "definitely" happen.
I think there will definitely be a football season this year," the billionaire real estate mogul said Tuesday morning on CNBC's ''Squawk Box.''
"The real question is will there be fans in the stadium?"
"I think right now today we're planing on having fans in the stadium but I think the NFL is looking at, and is very flexible, so that we will be able to start on time and really bring that entertainment that's really so needed to all of us in this country."
"I think that's one thing that we miss is our sports. I don't think a lot of people realize it until they no longer have it. Certainly the NFL I think will be ready to go and I think we're all looking forward to. I know I am."
"We've got a lot of things down in Miami here and we're prepared either way and hopefully there'll be fans in the stadium."
It's the most definitive statement we've heard from an NFL owner about the 2020 season while the coronavirus pandemic rages on.
Of course, the league has been moving forward as if everything will run according to schedule ... the NFL Draft took place in April and free agency began on time.
As we previously reported, Joe Buck recently said multiple networks are kicking around innovative ideas to make NFL broadcasts fun and exciting without fans ... one of the ideas is artificial fan noise. So far, nothing is set in stone.
Various experts have raised concerns about how the NFL will be able to successfully screen and test the hundreds of people -- including players, coaches, staffers, refs -- required for an NFL game ... but clearly, Ross is confident they'll figure it out.