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Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon knows fans are essential to sports and emphasized the importance of their presence in the stands.

"I think the start of next season, everybody has to be careful with (it) because I think you need fans," Dundon told 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "And so if it means pushing back the start of the season for any sport, then they should consider that, because what's the point of having sports if you don't have fans, right? They wouldn't exist.

"They'd be called the YMCA."

The NHL's 2019-20 season has been on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 12. Preliminary talks are ongoing about a potential return to the ice, but chances are slim that fans will be able to attend for at least the remainder of the season.

With only a handful of regular-season games and the playoffs left to complete the 2019-20 season, Dundon thinks the 2020-21 campaign should be delayed as long as possible if fans can't be in attendance.

"I would think it's a pretty good idea to push it back as long as you need to, to make sure you can have your buildings occupied," Dundon added. "Whether that's 100% or 50%, I have no idea. (If) it's zero, I don't know why anyone would want to start a new league season with no fans, but my vote doesn't count for much."

Talks between the NHL and NHLPA have reportedly intensified regarding the exploration of using two-to-four hub cities to act as hosts to play out the remainder of the 2019-20 season.