How COVID-19 is Impacting Sports
The coronavirus is spreading fast and causing cancellations of events & games
March 13, 2020
Sports across the United States have been halted as a result of the COVID-19, or coronavirus, outbreak concerns. The following is a summary of the organizations and events that have shut down as of 10 a.m. March 13.
NBA
Two players of the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, tested positive for the coronavirus this past week. Due to the spread of the virus, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has suspended all games indefinitely. Former player Charles Barkley has started self-quarantine upon his return from New York. Barkley has taken the test for COVID-19, but has yet to receive news of how it turned out.
NCAA
The annual March Madness tournament has been cancelled for both men and women because of the virus. First, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced no fans besides for close family and essential staff members. Then, the NCAA moved to no media in the locker room. Finally, the NCAA cancelled the tournament as a whole on Thursday, March 12.
NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL) has paused its season until further notice. Commissioner Gary Bettman says that although no one in the NHL has COVID-19 right now, it is likely that a player will test positive sometime in the near future.
MLB
Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that they will be postponing spring break and opening day for at least four weeks. The regular season’s opening day was supposed to take place on March 26, but cannot be played any earlier than April 9 now due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Golf
The PGA Tour has been cancelled after playing the first game of Players Championship. The next three events on the PGA schedule, the Valspar Championship, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and the Valero Texas Open, have been cancelled as well.
XFL
The XFL has followed in the footsteps of the associations above, and decided to cancel their 10 week season halfway through, originally supposed to play until April 12. XFL players were released from previous contracts and allowed to sign with NFL teams. The XFL is taking precautions in order to start again next season.
MLS
Major League Soccer (MLS) has suspended its season for the next 30 days in order to slow the spread of the virus in the US.