NBA: Current Situation in the League
After players from the Utah Jazz began testing positive for the coronavirus the NBA decided to take strict measures to protect its teams and staff. The NBA has suspended the regular season announcing that the hiatus will last at least 30 days with the intention of resuming the regular season. The decision to halt all play appears to have been the correct one as a Detroit Pistons plays soon after tested positive. The Pistons played the Jazz a week earlier and it appears that’s when the player became infected.
The 30-day hiatus is currently in effect and it is unclear if it will be extended as the virus continues to spread to other players and staff.
NFL: Current Situation in the League
Although at first, it appeared business as usual at the NFL, with the Free Agent Frenzy being carried on although, in a more remote fashion, it later became obvious that the NFL was also being affected.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league had agreed to an indefinite delay of the start of the offseason programs due to the pandemic.
Although there are restrictions on the Draft, including cancellations of public events in Las Vegas, it appears the draft will continue via remote technology. It is, however, unclear whether the normal play will take place at the start of the regular season later in the year.
“Operating with guidance from public health officials and medical professionals, the Steelers still plan to be represented at pro days. Some commercial flights may still be used, but scouts and coaches are to drive if it’s within a reasonable distance.”
source: nfl.com
MLB: Current Situation in the League
Major League Baseball announced that the start of the 2020 regular season will be pushed back following recommendations by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).
Opening Day, which was originally scheduled for March 26th, has been officially pushed back by two weeks, but it is likely to be pushed back further as the situation develops.
At first, this was seen by teams as a good time to extend Spring training programs but that has since been tamped down for fears of collecting too many players in one area. Spring training continues but in a limited capacity.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has announced a “wait and see” policy in response to the rescheduling of regular play.
MLB appears to be settling into an extended Spring training so as not to waste this newly freed time. Cardinals President John Mozeliak has this to say:
“Look at what’s happening around our country right now; there’s a lot of things closing down, we view this as a pause, and hopefully it allows us to get into a position where we can resume playing baseball again. But in the short term, this camp will remain open until we sort through some things…”
source: mlb.com
NHL: Current Situation in the League
The NHL has suspended play in their league for fears of spreading the virus to fans and players. Commissioner Bettman said that the season will resume when it is safe to start up again. This leaves a lot of room for speculation on when regular play will continue.
Till then all practices, workouts and team meetings have been put on pause in an attempt to keep the spread under control.
The NHL on 03/12 released a statement following the NBA’s decision to suspend all play:
“The National Hockey League is aware of the NBA’s decision tonight to indefinitely suspend its season due to a player testing positive for the coronavirus. The NHL is continuing to consult with medical experts and is evaluating the options. We expect to have a further update tomorrow.”
source: nhl.com
MLS: Current Situation in the League
MLS has announced a suspension of the season for thirty days meaning opening day has been pushed back. In a message from Commissioner Garber read that the league would be monitoring ad evaluating for an appropriate time to resume the 2020 MLS season.
“Dear MLS Supporters,
Like all of you, Major League Soccer continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the world around us. Earlier this week, we decided to take the necessary step of suspending our season for 30 days. Our league and clubs were united in our goal to protect the well-being of our fans, players, officials, employees and the general public.
We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Agency of Canada and local public health authorities on the appropriate next steps and to plan for the resumption of the 2020 MLS season.
We are evaluating the options for rescheduling the postponed matches to a later date. Tickets already purchased for those games will be honored on the new date.
During this rapidly changing time, we will take every necessary precaution, and I ask you to do the same. This moment in our history transcends sport. It is a time for all of us to come together and take care of each other.
Your support has always meant everything to us, but never more so than now. I thank you and send best wishes to you and your families.
Sincerely,”
Don Garber
Commissioner
source: mlssoccer.com
NCAAB: Current Situation in the League
The sporting world was shocked when the NCAA announced that they would be pushing back March Madness considering the pandemic. It is unclear when the NCAA play will resume but as of now all men’s and women’s basketball tournaments have been canceled.
On 03/12 NCAA President Mark Emmet canceled all tournaments as well as remaining Winter and Spring championships.
NCAA Football: Current Situation in the League
Many individual universities have announced a halt in training and gameplay including, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and the Ohio State programs.
NCAA Football is in a good position to weather the storm since the season isn’t scheduled to begin until late August meaning that there should only be delays on recruiting and training programs.
All activities suspended:
- Virginia State
- Penn State
- Baylor (till March 23rd)
- Kent State
- USC
Cancellation of Spring games:
- Michigan State
- Ohio State
- Indiana State
- Notre Dame
- Cincinnati
- Kent State
Recruiting paused or limited:
- Big Ten: Conference-wide pause
- ACC: Conference-wide pause
- SEC: Conference-wide pause
- Notre Dame
- UNLV
NCAA Football is in a better position than other leagues at the moment since they are out of season and opening day is not until the end of August. The players should be relatively safe, although it is likely their training will be limited.
The individual teams will be affected by their parent college/university’s response to the virus as many campuses have put themselves on lockdown.
NASCAR: Current Situation in the Sport
NASCAR has released a statement calling for the postponement of all race events through May 3rd. NASCAR’s website had this official statement:
“The health and safety of our fans, industry and the communities in which we race is our most important priority, so in accordance with recent CDC guidance, NASCAR is currently postponing all race events through May 3rd, with plans to return racing in Martinsville. We appreciate the patience of our fans and we look forward to returning to the race track. We intend to hold all 36 races this season, with future rescheduling soon to be determined as we continue to monitor this situation closely with public health officials and medical experts. What is important now transcends the world of sports and our focus is on everyone’s safety and well-being as we navigate this challenging time together.”
source: nascar.com
The bans/cancellations on events with large crowds is leading many leagues to try out new and interesting ways to continue holding matches. NASCAR, which has already been experimenting in eNASCAR (virtual racing with professional drivers) held a virtual event on event on Sunday 03/15. Dale Earnhardt Jr along with other NASCAR greats raced on a virtual clone of the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
UFC: Current Situation in the Sport
In his continued defiance of the CDC and other pandemic experts’ advice to stop holding live audience events, Dana White, President of the UFC, has again announced that the UFC will continue holding events business as usual.
However, after that pledge, Mr. White later postponed the UFC’s next three events indefinitely, which had been scheduled in late March and early April. This statement was an about-face for Dana who only days earlier announced his commitment to continue holding regular fights.
It is unclear whether the UFC will continue via streaming only or if it will be suspending more matches indefinitely.
Tennis: Current Situation in the Sport
The tennis world is on lockdown. The WTA and ATP have both announced immediate postponements.
Serena Williams has also made waves when she announced via Instagram that she will be spending the next six weeks in voluntary quarantine with her young child.
“Spending the next 6 weeks in solitude. Being a wife. Being a mom. Cooking. Cleaning. Spring cleaning. Face mask. Makeup tutorials. I’ll let you know how it goes… stay safe everyone. This is serious.”
source: Serena Williams’ Instagram
Serena’s six weeks matches with the ATP/WTA’s announcement to halt matches for six weeks.
Golf: Current Situation in the Sport
The 2020 Players Championship has officially been canceled due to coronavirus concerns. The PGA made an announcement at a press conference where the following message was relayed:
“It is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of The Players Championship. We have also decided to cancel all PGA Tour events – across all of our Tours – in the coming weeks, through the Valero Texas Open.”
source: PGA spokesperson.
The Masters, that had been scheduled to take place on April -12 has also been postponed. Masters chairman Fred Ridley had this to say in a statement:
“Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many, although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances,”
source: pgatour.com
Cancelled Sports Events FAQ
Which sports are cancelling due to coronavirus?
The NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, NCAAB, NCAA Football, NASCAR, PGA, and Tennis have all announced either cancellations, rescheduling, or audience restrictions to their games.
Which players have coronavirus?
Two Utah Jazz players have tested positive for COVID-19 causing a ripple effect of panic across the NBA.
When will sports go back to normal?
It is unknown when most sporting events will return to normal play. Many leagues have announced pauses in scheduling or a deferment of several weeks, but as the pandemic continues it is unclear if those deferments will be elongated.
Which NBA players have coronavirus?
Two players from the Utah Jazz have reportedly tested positive for corvid-19. Rudy Gobert and teammate Donovan Mitchell.
Which sports are unaffected by the coronavirus?
Only the UFC appears to be carrying on business as usual. UFC President, Dana White, at the insistence of President Trump has approved the continuation of fights with live audiences.
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