Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19
NBA
Sources Say League Feeling Optimistic About Return Following Call With Commissioner
We may get a chance to see the NBA play out the remainder of the 2019-20 season. Members of the league’s board of governors held a virtual meeting yesterday with Commissioner Adam Silver. According to ESPN’s sources, everybody left the meeting “feeling increasingly positive about the league’s momentum toward a resumption of play this season…”
Sources close to the league are saying that owners and executives on yesterday’s call feel good about the way the league has been handling and minimizing health risks for players and staff. Sources also said that the league has a good feeling about conversations with the NBAPA over when players want to see the season restarted.
Adrian Wojnarowski is saying that there are still a few factors that need to be considered by the league and players before anybody can return to play. According to Woj’s sources, understanding how the disease spreads and keeping up to date with new developments in virus testing are two of the most important factors the league has been taking into consideration at this time.
NFL
AZ Governor Says Pro Sports Can Resume In-State Later This Week
One state is planning on re-opening its doors very soon to the professional sports world. Yesterday, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced that professional sports can resume being played in the state without fans staring this Saturday. This means that MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA games can be played in Arizona starting this weekend.
Governor Ducey has said that he has had conversations with multiple influential figures from the Big Four North American sports leagues. However, the Governor did not specifically reveal who he talked to or what was discussed.
Governor Ducey is confident in the decision he made to re-open the state to professional sports teams and leagues. He said, “it would be at this point in time, according to the CDC guidelines, without fans…” He later went on to cite his public health director during the press conference, saying “we could do that safely in the state of Arizona beginning May 16.”
MLB
Sources: Money Not Talked About In MLB’s Opening Conversations With Players
Major League Baseball could still be a long way from restarting because of potential revenue-sharing issues. According to sources at ESPN, a multi-hour meeting was held yesterday between the MLB and the MLBPA to discuss issues currently impacting the sport’s return to play. Sources are saying that money was not discussed during the meeting yesterday.
Some of the items addressed during the meeting yesterday include timing and logistics for another Spring Training, potential rule changes, and adjustments to the size of each team’s roster. However, most of the meeting was focused around testing for COVID-19 and making sure proper safety protocols are in place should the league resume Spring Training. ESPN is saying that health and safety concerns will be passed along to the MLBPA over the coming days.
NHL
AHL Cancels Remainder Of Season
One American Sports League has given up on trying to finish the remainder of its season. Earlier this week, the American Hockey League announced that it canceled the remainder of the regular season and the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The decision to cancel this season was made by the league’s board of governors following a vote on Friday. The AHL originally paused its season on the same day that the NHL announced its season pause.
AHL President and CEO David Andrews acknowledged that this was an incredibly difficult decision to make. He said, “after a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions.”
This will mark the first time that a Calder Cup has not been awarded to a team since the 1936-37 season. Charlotte, the top affiliate team for the Carolina Hurricanes, won last year’s Calder Cup by defeating Chicago four games to one.
Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.
