Its Getting Scary!
By: Tommy “Tj” Sotomayor

The coronavirus is causing sports cancellations and postponements all across the world

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 116,000 coronavirus cases worldwide, according to CBS News. While 64,000 people have recovered, more than 4,000 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:

NBA

• The NBA has suspended the 2019-20 season after a Utah Jazz player, reportedly Rudy Gobert, tested positive for COVID-19. Games in progress on the night of March 11 will be completed.
• The league postpone Wednesday’s game between the Thunder and the Jazz. Players and officials were told to walk off the floor while awaiting a decision from the league, and then the announcement was made to a jeering Oklahoma City crowd. Prior to the game on Wednesday, the team announced that Gobert and Emmanuel Mudiay were both out for the game due to an illness.  
• The Warriors announced the team would play home games without fans in attendance, in accordance with the San Francisco Health Office’s order prohibiting groups of 1,000 people at events.
  
• 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.
• The NBA announced on Monday it was limiting locker room access over coronavirus concerns.

College basketball

• NCAA president Mark Emmert has announce 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.
• 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 Big East tournament will limit locker room access to student athletes, coaches, and essential team personnel. Media will only have access in the postgame media interview
  
• 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.
• The College Basketball Invitational Tournament has been canceled.
  
• The Atlantic 10 conference is suspending handshakes for its conference tournament.
• Chicago State basketball announced last week that it will 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 U.S. 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 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo is the biggest 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 2020,” with no specific dates mentioned.
• The IOC has reiterated that there is “full commitment to the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, taking place from July 24 to Aug. 9, 2020.”
• The flame lighting ceremony this week in Greece is happening with no fans in attendance.

MLB

• The Seattle Mariners and Major League Baseball are reportedly looking into moving the Mariners’ season opening home series vs. the Texas Rangers from Seattle, because of its proximity to the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S. 
• 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

• 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 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.

College Football

• Michigan has cancelled its spring football game, following a recommendation from state officials that gatherings of more than 100 people be limited or rescheduled.

XFL

• The Seattle Dragons will host Los Angeles Wildcats on Sunday without fans in attendance
  

Soccer

• Juventus announced on Wednesday that defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for coronavirus, the first notable case of a professional athlete contracting the disease.
• The Seattle Sounders have postponed their March 21 match against Dallas.

Live updates

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Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban found out about the NBA suspending the remainder of the regular season, after a Jazz player tested positive for COVID-19, live on TV while the Mavs were hosting the Nuggets.

ESPN✔@espn

Mark Cuban reacts moments after the NBA season was suspended.28K9:53 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy6,612 people are talking about thisAndrew JulianMar 11, 2020 at 10:08 pm ET

Adrian Wojnarowski✔@wojespn

The Jazz and Thunder players are currently quarantined in the OKC arena, league sources tell ESPN. This is following Rudy Gobert testing positive for the coronavirus.43K9:33 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy19.5K people are talking about thisAndrew JulianMar 11, 2020 at 9:48 pm ET

The NBA decided to postpone Wednesday’s game between the Thunder and the Jazz. Players and officials were told to walk off the floor while awaiting decision from the league, and then the announcement was made to a jeering Oklahoma City crowd. Prior to the game on Wednesday, the team announced that Gobert and Emmanuel Mudiay were both out for the game due to an illness.Gabriel FernandezMar 11, 2020 at 9:16 pm ET

There have been two “big” changes with regards to the status of college basketball tournaments. The first is that the Big Ten will reportedly hold the conference tournament will not have fans in attendance due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. The second update comes from the Big 12.

Jon Rothstein✔@JonRothstein

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby told reporters that the Big 12 Tournament will have limited access starting on Thursday.1136:43 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy62 people are talking about thisGabriel FernandezMar 11, 2020 at 7:00 pm ET

The San Jose Sharks have officially announced that their three remaining home games on the calendar this month will be closed to the public. This comes after Santa Clara’s Public Health Department ban on public gatherings of more than 1,000 people.

San Jose Sharks✔@SanJoseSharks

An update from the #SJSharks on events scheduled at @SAPCenter through April 1.http://bit.ly/2vPfRvu Update Regarding Events Scheduled at SAP Center Through April 1Today Sharks Sports & Entertainment has an update on events scheduled at SAP Center through April 1.nhl.com4206:38 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy289 people are talking about thisPete BlackburnMar 11, 2020 at 6:46 pm ET

The BIG3 has released a statement saying the league will not tour around the U.S. six of the 10 of it’s season. The league will play games scheduled from July 11 to August 15 in Los Angeles in a non-arena setting. The dates scheduled for the first two weeks of the season — June 20 (Memphis) and June 27 (New York) — are set to be played as scheduled, as are the playoffs — August 22 (Portland).

BIG3 on CBS✔@thebig3

CORONAVIRUS UNCERTAINTY NECESSITATES BIG3 SCHEDULE CHANGES

1636:01 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy79 people are talking about thisAndrew JulianMar 11, 2020 at 6:20 pm ET

After initially resisting, the Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they’ll abide by Ohio’s ban on mass gatherings. Thursday’s home game vs. the Penguins will be closed to the public, with limited admittance to essential personnel, media and staff.

Columbus Blue Jackets✔@BlueJacketsNHL

#CBJ statement regarding upcoming game schedule. http://cbj.co/covid031120 Blue Jackets statement regarding upcoming game scheduleMarch 11th, 2020nhl.com6325:47 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy423 people are talking about thisPete BlackburnMar 11, 2020 at 6:03 pm ET

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.

NCAA✔@NCAA

NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: http://on.ncaa.com/gabyq 

6,6074:31 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy8,242 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 4:39 pm ET

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.

Bob Pockrass✔@bobpockrass

NASCAR coronavirus reaction: NASCAR will hold its drivers meetings in open-air locations but fans not allowed to attend … all media qualifying and postrace bullpens will have a 6-foot buffer … there also will be a 6-ft buffer at driver intros, at the grid and in VL.7133:49 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy218 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 4:10 pm ET

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.

Jon Rothstein✔@JonRothstein

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has told reporters that there will soon be an order for no mass gatherings in Ohio, which includes the First Four in Dayton and the NCAA Tournament in Cleveland.1,4202:51 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy704 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 3:24 pm ET

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.

Bryan Fischer✔@BryanDFischer

Breaking: the Ivy League Presidents announced a unanimous decision “to cancel all spring athletics practice and competition through the remainder of the academic year.”913:06 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy92 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 3:09 pm ET

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 250 people were prohibited.

XFL✔@xfl2020

XFL statement regarding LA-Seattle gamehttp://www.xfl.com/articles/statement-on-la-seattle-game-for-week-6 …

1,9962:36 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy806 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 2:52 pm ET

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.

Brian Hamilton✔@_Brian_Hamilton

Big East tournament closes locker rooms.

56:54 PM – Mar 10, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacySee Brian Hamilton’s other TweetsChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 2:42 pm ET

Chris Francis✔@CFrancisKIRO7

#SoundersFC postpone March 21st home match w Dallas. #coronavirus

22:31 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacySee Chris Francis’s other TweetsChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 2:38 pm ET

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 1,000 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 25, so they have time to develop a plan beyond Thursday.

Golden State Warriors✔@warriors

Due to escalating concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, and in consultation with the City and County of San Francisco, tomorrow night’s game vs. the Nets at Chase Center will be played without fans. Fans with tickets to this game will receive a refund in the amount paid.

7,9122:10 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy3,215 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 2:02 pm ET

The Seattle Mariners play their home games at T-Mobile Park, which is located in King County. They have 16 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. 

Tracey Leong✔@TraceyKIRO7

#COVID19 Presser: Starting today, @GovInslee is ordering King Co., Pierce Co. & Snohomish Co. to prohibit large gatherings with more than 250 people- this includes social, recreational & sporting events. @KIRO7Seattle111:25 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacySee Tracey Leong’s other TweetsChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 1:38 pm ET

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.

College BBall Invit.@CBITourney

Statement regarding the 2020 CBI

30012:42 PM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy476 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 12:55 pm ET

The World Health Organization has officially declared that the coronavirus outbreak is a pandemic. This declaration came after COVID-19 cases continue to increase at high levels. There are currently more than 120,000 cases worldwide.Chris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 12:47 pm ET

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who The Wall Street Journal refereed to as the most respected public health official in the country, recommended that there shouldn’t be large crowd gatherings anywhere in the wake of the coronavirus. He singled out NBA games

“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.”

Oliver Willis✔@owillis · 11hReplying to @owillis

.@RepStephenLynch slams “the President’s statements” on coronavirus, noting Trump lied when he said tests were ready on March 6, but “There were no tests. Zero. Zero.” Lynch notes Trump said coronavirus cases are going down, but “they doubled yesterday in my district.”

Oliver Willis✔@owillis

Dr. Anthony Fauci says he would recommend major gatherings, like for NBA games, “should be withheld.” “As a public health official, anything that has large crowds is something that would give a risk to spread.”

Biden and Sanders canceled rallies. Trump has been noncommittal.7211:35 AM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy60 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 11:56 am ET

The NCAA had originally scheduled a conference call regarding the NCAA Tournament, but now that’s not happening. It’s certainly going to be interesting to see how this is all handled with Selection Sunday just a few days away.

David Gardner✔@byDavidGardner

The NCAA has canceled a scheduled conference call about the tournament for today2610:43 AM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy20 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 10:50 am ET

Big East Tournament associate commissioner Stu Jackson joined the The DA Show on CBS Sports Radio and provided an update on the conference tournament:

• The plan is for the Big East Tournament to be played with fans in attendance at Madison Square Garden as scheduled, but it could end up not being completed as more coronavirus information becomes available
• 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 13-5 conference record

Chris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 10:48 am ET

The Maple Leafs originally halted air travel for their European-based scouts due to the coronavirus. However, now the team is expanding that measure for their amateur and professional scouts that have territory throughout North America. Some of the team’s scouts will still travel by car.

Sportsnet✔@Sportsnet

The @MapleLeafs have grounded their scouts from flying to games amid growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, and it is believed a handful of other NHL teams have enacted similar measures with their scouts. (via @reporterchris)https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-grounded-scouts-flying-games-amid-covid-19-concerns/ …Maple Leafs have grounded scouts from flying to games amid COVID-19 concernsThe Toronto Maple Leafs have grounded their scouts from flying to games amid growing concerns about the spread of coronavirus, Sportsnet has learned.sportsnet.ca4349:51 AM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy148 people are talking about thisChris BengelMar 11, 2020 at 10:26 am ET

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.

Adrian Wojnarowski✔@wojespn

NBA’s discussing a number of possibilities — including eliminating fans from games or, more drastically, suspending game operations for a period of time. Decisions on those options remain complicated by fact there’s been such a limited amount of public testing for coronavirus. https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1237615233121779712 …Adrian Wojnarowski✔@wojespnESPN Sources: NBA is discussing scenarios that include moving some games to cities that have yet to suffer outbreaks — including opponent arenas or neutral sites. https://es.pn/2W3N7tA 3,2371:46 AM – Mar 11, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy1,064 people are talking about thisNicholas ParcoMar 11, 2020 at 8:50 am ET

Wednesday’s Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal has been postponed after it was discovered that some Arsenal team personnel interacted with someone who was recently diagnosed with coronavirus. That person was Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, the club that Arsenal recently played in the Europa League. No announcement has been made on how either club or the Premier League plans to deal with this match in the future.Gabriel FernandezMar 10, 2020 at 9:17 pm ET

Ohio’s Gov. 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.Gabriel FernandezMar 10, 2020 at 6:55 pm ET

Inside the NCAA✔@InsidetheNCAA · Mar 10, 2020Replying to @InsidetheNCAA

NCAA statement on COVID-19 and sporting events: http://on.ncaa.com/mrmfh 

Inside the NCAA✔@InsidetheNCAA

Statement on COVID-19 and NCAA championship events: http://on.ncaa.com/lzxw5 

1805:52 PM – Mar 10, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy296 people are talking about thisGabriel FernandezMar 10, 2020 at 6:26 pm ET

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 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers.Gabriel FernandezMar 10, 2020 at 6:26 pm ET

The Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees all sports in the country, has suspended sporting events in the country until April 3. The organization is looking to get a decree signed by the government to make this decision official. It will not include international play “for clubs or national teams,” because the Italian Olympic Committee not regulate that competition.Gabriel FernandezMar 10, 2020 at 6:23 pm ET

Good news for fans of French soccer: Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe does not have coronavirus! The 21-year-old soccer star will be a game-time decision for his team’s must-win Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund, where PSG find themselves down 2-1 on aggregate. The Parisians are not short on attacking power. Other available forwards include Edinson Cavani and Mauro Icardi. That being said, there’s only one Mbappe, and the void left behind by the lack of his talent on the team will be noticeable.Gabriel Fernandez