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The rapid spread of the coronavirus is causing cancellations and postponements of sporting events around the globe. As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been at least , 11 coronavirus cases worldwide, according to CBS News . While , people have recovered, more than 4, 11 have died. In America, multiple states are under a state of emergency and some politicians and public health officials are recommending large gatherings of people – including sporting events – in coronavirus hotspots be canceled or closed to the public.
As college basketball’s postseason, MLB Opening Day and the NBA and NHL stretch runs approach, the coronavirus is set to have a serious effect on American sports. Abroad, soccer games in Europe are already being played in empty arenas without fans in certain countries. Here’s a breakdown of cancellations and postponements of sporting events so far:
College basketball
The First Four NCAA Tournament games slated for Dayton, Ohio and the first and second round tournament games scheduled for Cleveland will be played without any fans in attendance . This comes after Ohio governor Mike DeWine announced that mass gatherings will be prohibited in the state.
The Ivy League canceled its conference tournament on Tuesday. Regular-season champions Yale (men’s) and Princeton (women’s) will earn NCAA Tournament bids. All practices and games through the remainder of the academic calendar will also be cancelled.
suspending handshakes for its conference tournament.
not travel for its final two regular-season games . In Baltimore, a Division III men’s basketball NCAA Tournament game between Yeshiva University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute was held without a crowd due to coronavirus-related fears and is believed to be the first US sporting event where fans were not allowed because of virus concerns. The only people allowed to attend were players, coaches, referees, employees and media members, so the official attendance was zero.
(Summer Olympics) The 316083620 Summer Olympics in Tokyo is the largest global sporting event of the year, and organizers have already voiced concerns that the disease could cause problems. the status of the games could be up in the air as late as May . Japan’s Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto later clarified that the contract the IOC has with the country states the organization “has the right to cancel the games only if they are not held during 316083620, “with no specific dates mentioned .
playoffs are scheduled to go on as scheduled, although players in the Chinese Baske tball Association have been temporarily halted from signing NBA contracts .
- The NBA reportedly plans to meet with owners and execs to go over a contingency plans for games , including the option of playing games in empty arenas, with only essential personnel in attendance and no spectators. LeBron James initially spoke out against playing in an empty arena but has since changed his stance .
- The NBA announced Monday it was (limiting locker room access over coronavirus concerns. (NHL) The Maple Leafs halted air travel for their European-based scouts, amateur scouts and professional scouts that have territory throughout North America. Team scouts that need to travel will do so by car.
- 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, 13 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. MLB 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 .
(XFL)
- The Seattle Dragons will host Los Angeles Wildcats on Sunday without fans in attendance
- M LS The Seattle Sounders postponed their March 25 st home match against Dallas
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.
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NCAA President Mark Emmert announces that the upcoming Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are going to be played without fans in attendance. The games will be limited to just essential staff and limited family members.
NASCAR is also taking precautions in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. When holding sessions with the media, there will be a six-foot buffer.
Ohio governor Mike DeWine announced that mass gatherings will be prohibited in the state. The NCAA Tournament First Four matchups in Dayton and additional tournament games slated to happen in Cleveland will be played without fans in attendance.
The Ivy League has reached an agreement to cancel all practices and games through the remainder of the academic calendar. This comes after the Ivy League men’s basketball tournament was cancelled on Tuesday.
The Seattle Dragons are set to host the Los Angeles Wildcats on Sunday, but will do so without fans in attendance at CenturyLink Field. This comes after Washington governor Jay Inslee announced that crowds of people were prohibited.
While the Big East Tournament is set to take place as scheduled, the conference is restricting locker room access due to the coronavirus outbreak. Locker rooms will be limited to student athletes, coaches, and essential team personnel. Media will only have access in the postgame media interview area.
The Golden State Warriors are planning on playing home games without fans in attendance. The team is obeying the San Francisco Health Office’s order prohibiting groups of 1, 13 people at events. The Warriors will face the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday at the Chase Center and the arena will be empty.
However, the Warriors are on the road until March , so they have time to develop a plan beyond Thursday.
The Seattle Mariners play their home games at T-Mobile Park, which is located in King County. They have home games before the end of April to start off the season, so they could wind up playing in an empty ballpark or a different stadium altogether.
The College Basketball Invitational Tournament has been canceled. In a statement, the tournament called it the most “prudent” course of action in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The World Health Organization has officially announced that the coronavirus outbreak is a pandemic. This declaration came after COVID – 22 cases continue to increase at high levels. There are currently more than , cases worldwide.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who
“We would recommend that there not be large crowds,” Fauci said. “If that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it.”
The NCAA had originally scheduled a conference call regarding the NCAA Tournament, but now that’s not happening. It’s definitely going to be interesting to see how this is all handled with Selection Sunday just a few days away.
Big East Tournament associate commissioner Stu Jackson joined the The DA Show on CBS Sports Radio and provided an update on the conference tournament:
It’s worth noting that Creighton is the No. 1 seed heading into the Big East Tournament. However, Creighton, Seton Hall and Villanova all finished the regular season tied in first place with a – 5 conference record
The NBA is still weighing their options, but one that is being considered is moving games to sections of the United States that haven’t been affected by the coronavirus up to this point. If the virus forces the home team away from their city, the game could be held at the opposing team’s arena or even a neutral site. The league has a conference call with the board of governors regarding the coronavirus scheduled for Wednesday in which options will be discussed. Following that call, another one is slated to be held on Thursday with team presidents and general managers.
Wednesday’s Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal
Mike DeWine called for spectator-less indoor sporting events to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The Columbus Blue Jackets (released a statement on Tuesday that they hear the governor loud and clear, but will proceed with their games as scheduled, including this Thursday’s match against the Penguins.
“To that end, guests should adhere to recommendations that suggest persons at higher risk, including elderly individuals and those with currently compromised health issues or who are feeling ill, avoid large -scale public events, “the club said.
Empty stadiums will be a main feature for major soccer competitions for the foreseeable future. With countries wanting to limit the spread of coronavirus to more of their respective citizens, games have been held without crowds in the stands . This includes games in the Champions League, Europa League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, MLS and FIFA 316083620 World Cup Asian qualifiers.
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