Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19
NHL
League Pitching June Draft To Teams
The NHL is trying to convince teams that holding the 2020 Draft before the current season is restarted is an essential move for the league. On Friday, ESPN received a copy of the memo that was sent out to teams. In the memo, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly listed several reasons why the league should support an earlier draft.
The league is reportedly targeting June 5th as the new date for the draft. The 2020 Draft is currently scheduled to take place in Montreal on June 26th and 27th. According to ESPN, teams would take part in a virtual draft similar to the one the NFL ran in April.
Former NHL Enforcer Tests Positive For Coronavirus
On Thursday, it was announced that former NHLer Georges Laraque tested positive for Coronavirus. The announcement was made by Laraque on social media Thursday morning. Laraque can be seen wearing a hospital gown in the post.
The 43-year-old was surprised he tested positive for the disease. Laraque said, “I guess I’m not invincible, just got diagnosed with Covid, since I’m asthmatic, not the best news, will fight it off!”
Georges Laraque played in the NHL for 12 seasons. Over that time, Laraque participated in 695 regular-season games. During his career, Georges recorded 53 goals and 100 assists for 153 career points. He also spent over 1100 minutes in the penalty box.
NFL
Spokesperson Says League Will Drop Schedule Next Week
NFL Spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirmed with ESPN the league will be dropping its full regular-season schedule next week. The opening game of the season on September 10th and Super Bowl 55 will also be included on the schedule as well. McCarthy isn’t worried about the season being delayed, saying, “We plan to start on time.”
Furthermore, Adam Schefter reported yesterday the league is expected to release its full preseason schedule later this week. McCarthy told Schefter that the league is prepared to make adjustments to the schedule if deemed necessary by public health officials and government regulations.
Back in April, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that the league planned on releasing its full schedule by May 9th. Mortensen’s sources told him that adjustments will be made if necessary, and the league has been working on contingency plans should the Pandemic become any worse.
NBA
Executives Worry About Coronavirus Risk For Older Coaches And Staff
NBA General Managers are telling ESPN that the health and age of older staff members are key factors in the league’s discussions to resume the currently paused NBA season. Some GMs are worried that these individuals are at a greater risk of testing positive for Coronavirus if the NBA season were to start back up again.
Some GMs spoke to ESPN anonymously and echoed these concerns. “I don’t want to put them in harm’s way,” said one GM. Another said, “Based on all the information that we have today, probably people over 60 with preexisting conditions can’t go, for sure, no matter what their titles are… Whether it’s a father of the star player or whether it’s the general manager of the team, they can’t go there.”
Earlier this week the league reportedly discussed delaying the start of the 2020-21 NBA season. The league is reportedly hoping to push the start of next season back to December.
MLB
Martinez: Nats Will Reveal Rings And Banner With Fans In The Stands
Dave Martinez is going to wait for the right time to celebrate the Nationals’ 2019 World Series Championship. On Friday, the Nats’ Manager said he wants to enjoy the team’s championship with fans in attendance.
The 55-year-old said on a video call with reporters, “I’m sure that I speak for everyone in our organization: We’re going to celebrate, somehow, someway. … We want to hang the banner with fans. We want to get our rings with fans. When? We don’t know. How? We don’t know. But we want them to be involved…” Martinez has won two championships as a coach and one as a team’s manager.
The MLB season has been put on hold since March. The league is currently considering a variety of contingency plans. One of the plans involves playing games at neutral-site venues without fans in attendance.
