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SI Survey: Doctors Say They'd Play in the NBA and NHL, but not NFL and MLB

Nearly 150 doctors with expertise related to COVID-19 responded to SI's questions. The results were stark.

Professional sports are back, but are they safe?

Leagues say yes. And the vast majority of athletes have chosen to compete. But doctors surveyed by SI tell a more complex story: They worry COVID-19 could cause many serious health problems down the road, and say that sports played outside a bubble are not worth the risk—even for young, healthy athletes who get paid millions to play.

Sports Illustrated asked doctors with expertise related to COVID-19 around the country: If your full income came from playing in one of the four major U.