The reality is that the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as we know it, maybe no more this year.
The reality is, the sponsors and owners, are not willing to say this, just yet, but without spectators at the cricket grounds, particularly T&T, Guyana and Barbados, the atmosphere will be listless.
Another telling reality is, several teams will have to reduce their wage bills because the gates revenue will be affected, so too will be television and other forms of live-streaming earning income.
We are all in uncharted waters, as far as the World dealing with COVID-19 is concerned and in sports more than ever, where contact and interaction playoff both on and off the field, there is an added burden to be cautious and safe, given the characteristics of this pandemic.
Only time will tell if at all, the 2020 season is held or abandoned but what seems almost certain, is that there will be less overseas (outside of Caribbean) players involved than ever and there may be more than one reason for that, not only travel restrictions but finances as well.
In other words, many, who have argued in the past (like myself), for a team comprising of players from the respective home country, may by force of nature, actually get that this season or as close as possible.
It may upset many outside of T&T and perhaps some neophytes in this country as well, to know, that a full-strength T&T home-grown eleven would be extremely difficult to beat on paper in the CPL. And while, the Jamaicans are probably the only ones that can seriously counter this, the reality (that word again), is that nine times out of 10, a full-strength T&T T20 team would beat all in the region.
Let us examine the possible 12, not eleven in batting order:
1 Lendl Simmons, 2 Evan Lewis, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Nicholas Pooran, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Dwayne Bravo, 7 Denesh Ramdin, 8 Sunil Narine, 9 Rayad Emrit, 10 Khary Pierre, 11 Shannon Gabriel/Ravi Rampaul.
Yes, I know some will not agree because several talented players are left out but this is just an idea.
Within the last two weeks, the CPL has also found itself subject to several bizarre looks from the outside as the authorities also faced the task of mending cracks including an open display of dissatisfaction in Jamaica, with leading current players Chris Gayle and Andre Russell. Even former players Marlon Samuels and Ramnaresh Sarwan.
Many believe that what has been played out on social media over the last three weeks, has left the CPL authorities with no other option but to act and soon.
What has transpired unless openly dealt with by CPL, might lead one to believe they are either spineless or could care less what harm this does to the West Indies cricket in general and team camaraderie because noticeably everyone involved is a West Indian.
But certainly, CPL must have rules and regulations and if they are quietly dealing with this matter behind closed and double-locked doors without keys, then they need to say that as well and not wait for others to get involved.
One of the realities is that in some quarters, there have been some suggestions that this is not only about internal politics within a team but also politics around and outside the team.
It is already a testing time for everyone and while changes are expected in the region as it relates to transfers, this ugly side of the sport in the region needs to be addressed quickly and not just swept away.
As to no spectators in the stadium for the CPL, while it will not be new for Test cricket in this region, for T20 cricket it will be a major change in some regions. We must also be concerned that one of the bright sparks of the CPL in the past, has been the advent of overseas support, whether between the islands of the region or outside, which may all have to be forgotten in the next few months.
Most importantly, the CPL must protect its brand and its name, of course, that is if they believe a few public spats are bad. That is a decision they must consider but if as they in conjunction with Cricket West Indies appear to be pushing youth players, emerging players then the example being set is certainly not what is required in sport.
So a message to the CPL, stop running, the reality is there!