The novel COVID-19 continues to result in sporting events being cancelled and leagues having to change their policy.
The NBA is considering moving games to locations that are unaffected by the virus according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
If a team is not able to use their arena due to a nearby outbreak, the NBA could move a game to the opponent’s home or a neutral site that has not COVID-19 outbreak.
The NBA’s Board of Governors and the Commissioner’s office will have a conference call on Wednesday to discuss multiple scenarios.
In the MLB, the league would prefer to have games flipped to visitors parks in the event that stadiums close, a source told The Associated Press.
The league reportedly anticipates government rulings on whether each city is safe to host games.
The MLB season is slated to begin in Seattle on March 26th, however Washington State Governor Jay Inslee is set to announce that gatherings of over 250 people will be banned in the Seattle metro area according to ESPN.
This ban will include sporting events that will affect teams such as the MLB’s Seattle Mariners and the XFL’s Seattle Dragons.
As for the NHL, The Toronto Maple Leafs have grounded their scouts from flying to games amid COVID-19 concerns according to Sportsnet.
As reported by Sportsnet, it is believed that a handful of other NHL teams have enacted similar measures although there is no set mandate by the league.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated that teams have been told to “use their best judgment and to consider implementing policies that restrict non-essential travel”
Moving across the Atlantic, the Champions League match between PSG and Borussia Dortmund on March 11 will be cancelled.
Other top flight matches in France will be played with no spectators or a maximum of 1,000 people until, at least, April 15.
Al Jazeera has released a comprehensive list that details other sporting events across the globe.
Check out that article for more information. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-sporting-events-affected-outbreak-200310084205890.html
