COLUMBUS – Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith says he thinks football games can be played in Ohio Stadium this fall with 20,000 to 30,000 fans in the stands.
He made that comment on ESPN.com but later clarified it to say the stadium could accommodate 40,000 to 50,000 fans if restrictions were relaxed.
Smith thinks that number of fans could be kept at a safe distance from one another in the stadium, which seats about 105,000.
“We’ve payed with that a little bit as a framework to start as we move forward and think about what we ultimately will be allowed to do,” Smith said.
Face masks and other precautions would be required to limit the spread of COVID-19.
He says he hasn’t figured out yet how spectators would be chosen from among those wanting tickets.
Smith also says Ohio State is ready to open the 15,000-square-foot Woody Hayes Athletic Center to student-athletes starting June 8 if the NCAA allows it.
About 10 players at a time would be allowed to work out on staggered scheduled with social-distancing and other hygiene precautions in place.
Some coaches returned to the complex on a limited basis this week.