Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19
NBA
2020 Draft Lottery And Combine Postponed
Earlier today, the NBA announced the 2020 Draft Lottery and Draft Combine have both been postponed. Both events were scheduled to take place next month in Chicago. The league is saying that it will share more information on the dates of the events at a later time. Sources told ESPN the league has not yet voted to delay the NBA Draft which is scheduled for June 25th.
Sources: League Has Discussed Delaying The Start Of Next Season
Sources told ESPN that Adam Silver and the NBA’s Board Of Governors continued having conversations today about potentially delaying the start of the 2020-21 NBA season until December. These reports come after the league voted to postpone the Draft Lottery and Combine earlier today.
One Board Member said to ESPN, “If you start in December, that doesn’t mean the people are coming back in December, but maybe they’re back by March.” ESPN is saying that if the current NBA season is completed by September or even October, then a delay to the start of the 2020-21 season is inevitable.
NHL
December Start Being Considered For 2020-21 Season
Yesterday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that starting the 2020-21 NHL season in December is a possibility as the league is weighing all options to finish the current season. The 2019-20 NHL season was paused back on March 12th due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Bettman appeared on the NHL Network for an interview yesterday. He said, “We have a great deal of flexibility in terms of when we can start… There’s no magic for next season of starting in October as we traditionally do. If we have to start in November or December, that’s something that will be under consideration. We’re going to try to make good, prudent, careful judgments. This isn’t a race to be first back.”
Earlier this week, the league and the NHL Players’ Association said that they are currently looking at phase two of their plan to “return to play.” ESPN is reporting phase two of the plan involves small group activities in NHL facilities. The league is hoping players can return to team facilities in mid-to-late May.
MLB
League Reaches Payment Deal With Umpires Amidst Pandemic
Earlier today, the Major League Baseball Umpires’ Association announced that it reached a deal with the league to cover the 2020 pay structure during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Sources confirmed to ESPN that umpires will be paid “a pro-rated share of their salaries” based on the numbers of games worked over a 182-day season.
Umpires have already received payments from January to April. The Associated Press is reporting that umps will be paid at a 50% rate throughout May.
ESPN says umps are guaranteed to receive at least a third of their salary this year if a single regular-season game is played. Umpires make between $150K and $450K according to ESPN.
NFL
Chiefs’ Offensive Lineman Working As An Orderly During The Pandemic
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is a staring Guard for the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. However, the former med school graduate has decided to temporarily trade in his jersey for a pair of scrubs. The Offensive Lineman has been spending most of his time during the Pandemic volunteering at hospitals in his hometown of Montreal, Canada.
Montreal had been having a shortage of medical staffers, so Duvernay-Tardif answered the call when the city said they needed more help. He has since been assigned to assist in a long-term care facility.
Duvernay-Tardif explained how he feels ready for the challenge. “Everybody is concerned; everybody is kind of scared a little bit. I got my training for proper PPE measure and usage, which is really important to me, just refreshing how to put on a gown, how to put on a visor, how to wash everything and just kind of putting in place kind of a process that makes you feel safe.”
