Hours after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus a pandemic, the sports world followed suit. With major decisions from the NBA to MLS, it's become difficult to keep up with what decisions have been made towards players, essential personnel, and even fans.
Here's a quick rundown:
NBA suspends season after Utah Jazz player tests positive for COVID-19
The NBA has suspended the 2019-20 season after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for COVID-19. The G-League has also suspended play. The league has advised the players on how to avoid the potential spread of the coronavirus while playing a contact-friendly sport. Among the suggestions was for players to avoid the postgame handshake and instead stick with fist bumps.
NCAA Basketball Tournaments Will Be Played In Crowdless Arenas
NCAA president Mark Emmert has announced that all Division I men's and women's basketball tournament games will be played in arenas without fans. According to Emmert's statement, only "essential staff and limited family" will be allowed to attend.
Summer Olympics Hoping For The Best The coronavirus outbreak has swept through China in recent weeks and is alarming with the 2020 Olympics less than six months away. On Wednesday, Tokyo Olympics organizers revealed that they are extremely concerned with the outbreak happening so close to the opening ceremony. Despite the rapid spread of the coronavirus, Olympic organizers still haven't had any thoughts of canceling the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
MLB Pauses For Decision On Regular Season
The regular season has not started yet, but in spring training and for the foreseeable future, locker rooms will be closed to the media in an effort to limit the amount of contact between players and media members.
NHL Moves To Play On The NHL regular season is set to continue as scheduled with the final day on April 6 and the Stanley Cup playoffs beginning shortly after. The league closed locker room access to media members, beginning Monday. The San Jose Sharks in particular are feeling the brunt of the coronavirus outbreak. Santa Clara County health officials announced a temporary ban on all events that would draw large gatherings and possibly spread the virus. That ban, which prohibits crowds of more than 1,000 people, will carry through at least the end of March and could affect multiple San Jose Sharks games scheduled at SAP Center in the coming weeks.The Columbus Blue Jackets will play their remaining home schedule without fans at Nationwide Arena, as long as a state-wide ban on large gatherings is in effect.
NCAA College Football Teams Make Their Own Decisions
Ohio State and Michigan announced Wednesday that their respective spring football games have officially been canceled. Michigan announced limitations for the football team's spring schedule, including the cancellation of the open practice scheduled for April 18 in response to coronavirus outbreak. Spring practice is scheduled to continue as planned for the team, but the open practice, which serves as the culmination of the spring period and is open to the fans for a spring game-like atmosphere in Michigan Stadium, has been canceled. As for Ohio State, the school announced Wednesday that it "will continue to host intercollegiate athletic sporting events, but attendance at all events for the remainder of the academic year will be limited to student-athletes and their immediate family members, team coaches and staff, essential event management, operational and facility staff, and credentialed members of the media."
Soccer Player Contracts COVID-19; First Pro-Athlete Case Juventus announced on Wednesday that defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for the coronavirus, the first notable case of a professional athlete contracting the disease.The Seattle Sounders have postponed their March 21 match against Dallas.
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