COVID-19 quickly grew from a joke to a full-blown pandemic. The disease first showed up in Wuhan, China in early December. Since then, it spread at a rapid rate across the globe despite efforts to lockdown infected areas. In an effort to ease the spread of the novel coronavirus, national sport leagues have suspended or cancelled their seasons.
What first came as the biggest shock was the suspension of the National Basketball Association during the early stages of COVID-19 in the U.S. Beginning after the games on March 11, all games were cancelled and the season disbanded indefinitely. This followed the announcement that Rudy Golbert from the Utah Jazz had tested positive for COVID-19. Golbert had mocked the virus and jokingly rubbed his hand on all of the microphones at a press conference before testing positive.
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said on March 1 in a statement. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
Although many fans are disappointed that the season is suspended, they are supportive of the cause and understand the reasoning behind the decision.
“I agree with [the suspension] because it’s all for the benefit of the players so they can stay healthy,” said sophomore Nick Ragone. “It protects the players, the fans, and all the coaching staff to just not attend the games. That keeps people safe from the virus spreading.”
The games held by the NBA are risk zones for the spread of the virus considering the average number of people attending each game range from 15 to 20 thousand people depending on the team.
Along with the NBA’s suspension of their games, college basketball cancelled all mens and womens winter and spring championships.
Basketball players from several national teams have stepped up to spread awareness for prevention. Kevin Love donated $100,000 through a nonprofit to support arena workers affected by the suspension of the NBA.
On March 26, Stephen Curry used his large Instagram platform of almost 30 million followers to host an Instagram live question and answer session with Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading member of the White House Coronavirus task force. Curry and Fauci discussed ways of prevention and common symptoms of the virus.
Along with the cancellation of all NBA games this season, Major League Baseball announced the suspension of their opening day to at least May 30. Spring training was also cancelled March 12. However, the MLB has also been considering playing games in spring training ballparks with no live audience while actively quarantining players.
Another highly anticipated event cancelled is the 2020 National Football League draft which was scheduled to take place from April 23 to April 25. The draft garners a large amount of spectators yearly, which would cause a problem, as the Nevada government had prohibited all large gatherings. Although the draft event is cancelled, the NFL will still hold the player selection process at the scheduled time.
“In consideration of current information related to COVID-19 and guidance from medical experts such as the CDC, and in coordination with public authorities in Nevada and the City of Las Vegas, the NFL will modify its plans for the 2020 NFL Draft,” the NFL said in a press release on March 16.
Pre-draft training has also been cancelled.
The National Hockey League followed in suit of the many other national sports leagues cancelling their seasons, and made the announcement that they were pausing their 2019-2020 season mid-March. Although they have not announced an official date of resumption, the health authorities have allowed the NHL to resume training at remote locations with games being played at empty stadiums sometime this summer.
On April 15, U.S. Soccer announced the termination of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The US soccer Development Academy was formed in 2007 and provided competitive gameplay for clubs around the nation. The termination is related directly to the financial effect on U.S. Soccer by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With sports drawing in such large crowds of people, it’s hard to know when the seasons will resume. There could possibly be games being played without spectators in the NHL or MLB. As for The NBA, teams are expected to start playing again next season.
