WWE holds the WrestleMania 36 pay-per-view event on Sunday, April 5, 2020 in Tampa, Florida at the Raymond James Stadium.
WWE executive Stephanie McMahon was in Tampa on Thursday and did an interview with the TampaBay.com to promote the event. This is where she was asked whether the company is ready for the Coronavirus just weeks ahead of WrestleMania.
“The health and safety of not only our fan base, but also our superstars, really does come first. We don’t want to put anyone in a bad situation ever, regardless of the circumstance. Those are not risks worth taking.”
WWE executive vice president of special events John Sabroor also commented on the situation.
“Given the number of live events that (WWE) does, it’s constantly monitoring global events. There are active and ongoing discussions at play internally, like there are in any sector of American business, and certainly families as a whole. So I think those will continue.”
The concerns have hit hard in Japan as New Japan Pro Wrestling canceled events from March 1-15. Also, the Japanese government has canceled other sporting events due concerns.
Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, was also quoted in the article where he noted that his group is working with the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and Tampa International Airport to ensure fan safety
“You’ve got to be nimble, and you’ve got to be ready,” Higgins said. “Thirty-six days is a long time, so it’s hard to predict. I think we just continue to information gather as much as possible, so that we are as prepared as possible.”
“And if necessary,” McMahon added, “enact those measures.”
