Wide World of Sports Limbo

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

 

 

 

When the commissioner of the National Basketball Association Adam Silver abruptly cancelled the season last Wednesday night, it set off a ripple affect that the National Hockey League and College Basketball soon followed. The A-10 and the Big10 cancelled their tournaments. The Big East completed the first round with St. John’s coming back to stun Georgetown finishing the game on a 23-0 run. Then #10DePaul beat #7Xavier. All the talk was not about those games but about the news that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the Coronavirus before the start of their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game was cancelled immediately with the players and staff quarantined late into the night. Two days later, Gorbert’s teammate Donovan Mitchell test positive as well. The Detroit Pistons had played Utah the week before. Christian Wood from Detroit would be the third player to test positive. The league announcing that the season may not resume until June giving all of the teams Utah played during that stretch a chance to test their players.

 

Last Thursday, the Big East continued knowing that all other conferences including March Madness was cancelled. During the first half of St. John’s and Creighton. Commissioner Valarie Ackerman Issued the following statement as to why the game and tournament was cancelled at halftime. “Following a call with our Presidents and Athletic Directors and additional consultation with the City of New York, the Big East Conference has cancelled the remainder of our men’s basketball tournament effective immediately. We believe the decision is in the best interest of our participants and fans.” Both days had capacity crowds.

 

 

 

 

Not to be undone, Major League Baseball, in the middle of spring training announced it would cancel the rest of spring training games. It was announced Monday the season would begin the third week in May. Aside from all of the injuries that had plagued the New York Yankees this spring, word came down that a minor league member, not identified to this point, tested positive for the virus. It is not known if the player had any contact with players on the  major roster.

 

The postponements are also affecting golf, tennis, soccer, marathons, Kentucky Derby and the first year XFL. The National Football League announce the the 2020 Draft will take place April 23rd but no fans will be allowed to attend. The lost revenue will reach billions. Thousands of workers who rely on concession sales to support their families have to look for other work or apply for unemployment benefits. Not to mention security staff as well. It is expected that staff members will be laid off.

 

Zion Williamson from New Orleans, Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and the Golden State Warriors are going to donate money to the employees to cover their lost wages. Hopefully, other teams will follow suit.

 

New York City instituted a policy where no group can exceed more than 50 people. Bars and restaurants will close at 8pm. Museums, fitness centers, movie theaters, schools and libraries are closed for the time being.   

 

Even during the darkest times of 9-11, sports was the one thing that brought people together. Games were cancelled but not to the extent they are being cancelled now. Unfortunately, it looks like it will get a lot worse before it gets better as the number of deaths and people testing positive across the world rises every day. A vaccine may not be ready for up to a year.