Tag: Coronavirus

All Miami Marlins Games Postponed Through Sunday

The team will miss their next six scheduled games

Major League Baseball is looking to avoid a health disaster while continuing the 2020 season. The league announced that all Miami Marlins games through Sunday have been postponed. The announcement comes just three days after it was revealed that a Coronavirus outbreak occurred in the Marlins’ clubhouse. The Marlins’ next six games (three vs. the Orioles & three vs. the Phillies) have been postponed through Sunday, August 2nd.

An outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in the Marlins’ locker room this past weekend. It is believed that anywhere between 15 and 18 members of the organization have reportedly tested positive for the disease. ESPN reports that 16 players and two coaches have recorded positive test results.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Marlins learned on Sunday morning that their pitcher for that afternoon, as well as two other players, had tested positive for Coronavirus. Miami manager Don Mattingly said that Shortstop Miguel Rojas was the guy to go to when “…we’re dealing with situations or things…” The Philadelphia Inquirer said that the group text’s opinion was that “…the team took enough precaution to play Sunday.” After that, Rojas explained how the situation was handled.

“We made the decision that we’re going to continue to do this and we’re going to continue to be responsible and just play the game as hard as we can… We knew that this would happen at some point. We came to the ballpark and we were ready to play. That was never our thought that we weren’t going to play.”

Miguel Rojas on how the team decided to play in a game on Sunday vs. the Phillies

The Marlins concluded a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, which they won two games to one. At this time, the Phillies’ series against the Yankees has been postponed as a precautionary measure to ensure that no further teams contract COVID-19.

Report: Tonight’s Yankees-Phillies Game Postponed

Second game in a row postponed due to fallout from Marlins’ COVID-19 outbreak

It looks like Major League Baseball will continue to delay the start of the Yankees-Phillies series out of precaution. The New York Post‘s Joel Sherman first reported that tonight’s game between Philly and the Bronx Bombers was off. This marks the second straight day that a game in the series between the two teams has been postponed.

The series has not been able to start because the Philadelphia Phillies just finished a three-game-stretch against the Miami Marlins, who have had an outbreak of COVID-19 in their clubhouse. According to Bleacher Report, 18 total members of the Marlins’ organization have tested positive for COVID-19. It is being reported that 16 of the 18 positive test results have come from Miami players.

At this time, Philadelphia’s players and staff members have undergone further testing to determine if the team was affected by Miami’s Coronavirus outbreak. Joel Sherman is reporting that early test results show that zero members of the Phillies organization have tested positive for COVID-19.

It is expected that the Marlins and Phillies will be able to play later this week if additional COVID-19 test results come back negative. The Phillies are scheduled to play two games at Yankee Stadium beginning on Wednesday.

Two MLB Games Postponed Due To COVID-19

An outbreak of Coronavirus in Miami Marlins’ clubhouse leads to two games being canceled

Major League Baseball announced that games scheduled for later today between the Yanks and Phillies and the Marlins and Orioles have been postponed as the league conducts additional COVID-19 testing. Sources told ESPN that an outbreak of Coronavirus has spread throughout the Marlins’ clubhouse. It is believed that as many as 13 members of the organization have tested positive for the disease.

Major League Baseball released a statement late this morning about the games being postponed. The league explained that tests are being conducted and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

“Tonight’s scheduled games between the Miami Marlins and the Baltimore Orioles at Marlins Park and the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park have been postponed while Major League Baseball conducts additional COVID-19 testing. The members of the Marlins’ traveling party are self-quarantining in place while awaiting the outcome of those results. Major League Baseball has been coordinating with the Major League Baseball Players Association; the Marlins; the Orioles; the Marlins’ weekend opponent, the Phillies; and Club medical staffs, and will continue to provide updates as appropriate.”

Major League Baseball’s statement on the postponement of two games

The Miami Marlins just completed a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies to open the 2020 season. The Marlines ended up winning the series two games to one. The Marlins were scheduled to begin a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles while the Phillies begin their series against the Yankees.

There are still 10 Major League Baseball games scheduled to be played today. The first game of the day starts at 3:40 PM EST when the Los Angeles Angels go on the road to take on the Oakland Athletics.

Coronavirus Update For 7/21/2020

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NFL

League Offers Zero Preseason Games In Latest Proposal

It looks like the NFL will jump right into the Regular Season this year. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the NFL has sent a proposal to the players’ union that features zero preseason games in 2020. This news comes after Training Camps began this week.

The NFL preseason usually lasts four weeks and has every team participate in four games. The league originally proposed playing two preseason games, but the players pushed for zero games. The first game of the preseason, the NFL Hall of Fame Game, has already been canceled this year.

League Lays Out Protocols For COVID-19 Testing

The National Football League now has a plan in place to test for and contain the potential spread of COVID-19 this season. In a conference call yesterday, the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer said that the league will test all players every day for the first two weeks of Training Camps. Players will also need more than one negative test result to enter team facilities. The protocols were agreed upon by the NFL and the players’ union yesterday.

The protocols also state that after two weeks, the rate of positive tests will be examined. If this rate is below five percent, the league will move testing to every other day. Veterans are scheduled to report to Training Camps on July 28th.

NBA

League Reports Zero Positive COVID-19 Tests

It looks like the NBA has the Coronavirus Pandemic under control. Yesterday, the league officially announced that zero players out of 346 have tested positive for COVID-19 since July 13th. The league is saying that if a player does end up recording a positive test on the NBA campus in Orlando, then that individual will have to self-isolate until he has been cleared by league protocols.

NHL

Only Two Positive Coronavirus Tests Since Camp Opened

The NHL has some good news about their most recent round of COVID-19 testing. Yesterday, the National Hockey League announced that only two players have tested positive for the Coronavirus since camps opened on July 13th. The identities of the two players have not been revealed as per NHLPA policy.

In a statement, the league said that it completed the first five days of Phase Three testing from July 13th to July 17th. The statement also explained that 2,618 tests were administered to over 800 players, but only two players tested positive for the disease. At this time, both players are self-isolating. There is no clear timeline as to when the unnamed individuals will be able to return to practice.

MLB

Dr. Fauci To Throw Out First Pitch At Nationals’ Home Opener

The reigning World Series Champions will have a very special guest at their home opener. Yesterday, the Washington Nationals announced that Dr. Anthony Fauci will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the team’s home opening game against the New York Yankees. The Nats and the Yankees are scheduled to face off Thursday night.

“Dr. Fauci has been a true champion for our country during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career, so it is only fitting that we honor him as we kick off the 2020 season…”

Washington Nationals’ Statement on Dr. Anthony Fauci

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Coronavirus Update For 7/19/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

MLB

Blue Jays Barred From Playing Games In Toronto

It appears that the Toronto Blue Jays will not be allowed to play home games in Canada this year. Yesterday, the Canadian government denied the Blue Jays’ request to play home baseball games at the Rogers Centre in Toronto this season. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino later confirmed this information. The Canadian government doesn’t reportedly think it is safe for players to travel back and forth from the United States during the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic.

The Blue Jays are currently considering a few different locations where they could play home games. One of the sites in the mix is the team’s training facility in Dunedin, Florida. The franchise is also thinking about utilizing Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York which is home to Toronto’s triple-A affiliate baseball team. The Blue Jays are currently scheduled to begin their season on July 24th.

NBA

League Will Shorten Exhibition Games

The NBA announced it is tweaking the rules of the first exhibition games of the league restart to make them go by a little faster. For the initial matchups of the NBA restart, the league has decided to go with ten-minute quarters instead of the traditional 12-minute quarters. The NBA is hoping this will allow players to get ready to finish the season while also enabling them to conserve their energy for more important games that will come later.

ESPN is reporting that the clock change will only apply to the first exhibition game for every team. The second and third exhibition games at Disney will go back to the standard timing. Every team participating in the NBA restart is required to play in three exhibition games.

Race For NBA’s Individual Awards Is Already Over

On Friday, the NBA told teams that none of the seeding games will be taken into consideration when selecting this season’s individual award winners. The league also said that voting for honors like All-NBA, ROTY, etc. will be completed before the season restart on July 30th. This news means that the race for individual awards like MVP is now officially over. Giannis Antetokounmpo won the MVP award last season with the Milwaukee Bucks and is hoping to win it again this year.

NFL

Training Camps To Start As Scheduled

Despite spiking Coronavirus cases across the country, the NFL has decided to start preseason activities on time. Yesterday, all 32 NFL teams received an email from the league informing them that training camps will begin as scheduled. Rookies will report first, followed by QBs and injured players, and finally, veterans.

Rookies that play for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans are the first players that will report to camp this year. They are all scheduled to show up at camp tomorrow. Meanwhile, the NFL said that all other teams are allowed to have rookies report to camp as early as Tuesday the 21st. NFL veterans are scheduled to report on July 28th.

NHL

Oilers’ Defenseman Feeling “Healthy” After Positive COVID-19 Test Results

On Friday, the Oilers’ Caleb Jones revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and had to self-isolate for two weeks before joining the team at training camp. The defenseman reportedly tested positive for Coronavirus when he first showed up for training camp in Edmonton three weeks ago. He then had to quarantine for two weeks. Friday marked the first time Jones was able to participate in the team’s main practice.

“We’ll see if he takes part in [the] scrimmage tomorrow… I’m not sure he’s going to go that far yet, but it’s good to have him back. He had no symptoms, he tested positive without any symptoms at all, so he’s coming back feeling healthy and ready to go.”

Edmonton Oilers’ coach Dave Tippett on Jones’ return

Caleb Jones was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015. The 23-year-old defenseman played in 43 games for Edmonton this year. He finished the regular season with four goals and five assists for nine total points.

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

72 NFL Players Have Tested Positive For COVID-19

NFLPA announced 72 players tested positive for Coronavirus as of July 10th

We now know how many NFLers have COVID-19 after the league’s first few rounds of testing. Earlier today, the NFL Players’ Association released a set of data that revealed 72 players league-wide have tested positive for COVID-19 as of July 10th, 2020. According to NFL.com, the 72 individuals make up about 2.5% of rostered players in the league.

In the announcement, the NFLPA also released a map showing the concentration of Coronavirus in NFL markets. The Miami Dolphins have the highest concentration of average daily Coronavirus cases per 100,000 people with 67.53 cases per 100K. The New England Patriots have the lowest concentration of cases with just 3.27 cases per 100,000 people.

The NFL and the NFLPA are still trying to resolve outstanding issues between the two sides before players have to report to team facilities. Rookies for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans are scheduled to report to work this weekend. All NFL veterans are slated to report to work by July 28th.

Coronavirus Update For 7/14/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

MLB

Officials Say fans Won’t Be Allowed At Phillies Games In 2020

Earlier today, city officials said that fans will not be allowed in the stands during home games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020. The officials also said that this decision applies to Philadelphia Eagles’ home games in 2020 as well. Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said he believes baseball and football can be played under the right circumstances, but he does not think it is a good idea to have fans in the stands for games.

“I do not think that they can have spectators at those games. There’s no way for them to be safe having a crowd there… I can’t say what the plans are for the league, but from a safety perspective, they can play games but not [have] crowds.”

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley

NFL

Sources Say Players’ Union Has New Set Of Requests For Return-To-Work Plan

As the NFL and the NFLPA continue to negotiate the terms of play this season, it seems that the players are looking for extra securities and financial support. According to sources, the NFLPA requested the following in their most recent proposal to the league:

  • Opt-out clause for at-risk players to receive salary if one decides not to play
  • Opt-out clause and benefits for players with at-risk families if they decide not to play
  • Opt-out clause for a player that leaves the teams after reporting
  • A $250K stipend guaranteed to all players if they show up to camp and everything is shut down due to COVID-19

NBA

Michael Beasley Reportedly Leaves Orlando Bubble

Sources are saying that new Brooklyn Nets Guard Michael Beasley left the NBA Bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Sources told ESPN that Beasley recently tested positive for Coronavirus.

Beasley was signed by Brooklyn back on July 9th as a replacement player that would participate in the NBA Restart in Orlando. Sources are saying that it is unclear if the 31-year-old will eventually rejoin the team in the bubble.

NHL

Nine Pittsburgh Penguins Sidelined After Potential Virus Exposure

Yesterday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced they were “voluntarily sidelining” nine players from their training camp roster after it was discovered the players may have been exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19. This news comes just one day after NHL Training Camps opened. The nine players will not be allowed to participate in team activities until they pass all NHL safety protocols.

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Russell Westbrook Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Rockets’ Guard announced positive test results before the team departed for Orlando

Before the season restart has even begun, one of the NBA’s best players has tested positive for COVID-19. Earlier today, former MVP Russell Westbrook announced he tested positive for Coronavirus. The positive test results came before the Rockets departed for the NBA season restart that is scheduled to take place later this month in Orlando, Florida.

Russell Westbrook addressed the test results on Twitter. He confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19 and that he is now in quarantine. The nine-time NBA All-Star said he is feeling well despite the positive test results.

Westbrook now joins James Harden and Luc Mbah a Moute as the three players that did not travel with the Rockets when they left for Orlando. Yesterday, Rockets’ Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said that he hopes all three players will be able to arrive at the NBA’s bubble-atmosphere at Walt Disney World within the next three or four days.

Russell Westbrook is in his first season with the Houston Rockets after spending the first 11 seasons of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook was averaging 27.5 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, and 7 assists per game before the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended.

PAC-12 And Big Ten Cancel Non-Conference Games For 2020 Fall Sports

Big Ten announced schedule change Thursday, PAC-12 on Friday

It looks like the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic will have an impact on the upcoming college football season. On Thursday, the Big Ten Conference announced it will not allow teams to participate in non-conference games in football as well as several other Fall sports. Yesterday, the PAC-12 followed suit and voted to move to a conference-only schedule for all Fall sports this year as well. The organizations hope that limiting travel will reduce the risk of spreading or potentially catching COVID-19.

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said it is “much easier if we’re just working with our Big Ten institutions…” Warren is uncertain about the future of this upcoming football season. He told the Big Ten Network, “We may not have sports in the fall… We may not have a college football season in the Big Ten.”

“We may not have sports in the fall… We may not have a college football season in the Big Ten.”

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren to the Big Ten Network

Yesterday, the PAC-12 followed the Big Ten’s example and also switched over to a conference-only schedule for all Fall sports. The decision was made during a virtual meeting held on Friday between PAC-12 athletic directors, university presidents, and conference officials. ESPN is reporting that the decision will delay the start of Fall sports, including football. USC was scheduled to open its season against Alabama at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Schools and Collegiate Conferences are still figuring out ways to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. This now makes three D-I Conferences that have had to make changes to their Fall Sports schedule due to Coronavirus. On Wednesday, the Ivy League became the first Division I Conference to suspend all Fall Sports due to the ongoing health crisis.

NHL And NHLPA Agree On Restart, CBA Extension

The new CBA will run through the 2025-26 season

Earlier today, the NHL and the players’ union announced the two sides each ratified a four-year extension of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. The NHL and the NHLPA also agreed on a return-to-play plan that will have teams resuming play on August 1st, 2020.

Commissioner Gary Bettman applauded the two sides for coming together during a global pandemic. He said, “I thank NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr and Special Assistant to the Executive Director Mathieu Schneider, the more than 700 NHL players — particularly those who worked on our Return to Play Committee — and the NHL’s Board of Governors for coming together under extraordinary circumstances for the good of our game…” Commissioner Bettman and Executive Director Fehr will hold a press conference tomorrow afternoon to discuss the new CBA.

Training Camps for NHL teams are allowed to begin Monday. On July 26th, the 24 teams participating in the NHL’s return-to-play plan will travel to Toronto and Edmonton. NHL play is scheduled to resume on August 1st with the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.

The new Collective Bargaining Agreement also signifies the return of the NHL to the Olympics. Under the new CBA, National Hockey League players will be allowed to participate in the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics. The International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee must approve the agreement for the move to become official. The 2014 Olympics marked the last time NHLers were allowed to participate in the Winter Games.

2020 MLB All-Star Game Canceled

First time the All-Star Game will not be played since World War II

Earlier today, Major League Baseball announced the cancellation of the 2020 All-Star Game. The league said the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic is the reason the game was canceled. This will be the first time since 1945 that the “Midsummer Classic” will not be held between the American League and the National League.

The game and its surrounding events were originally scheduled to take place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles this summer. However, Major League Baseball announced that Los Angeles will instead host the 2022 All-Star Game since this year’s events were canceled. The Atlanta Braves are scheduled to host the All-Star Game next year.

There have been 90 Major League Baseball All-Star Games held since 1933. The American League currently holds the series lead 45 wins to 43. The American League has won the last seven straight All-Star match-ups, including last year’s game, a 4-3 win at Progressive Field.

Coronavirus Update For 7/2/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NBA

Nine More Players Test Positive For COVID-19

Earlier today, the NBA revealed the results of the COVID-19 tests that were administered throughout the league from June 24th to the 29th. The NBA announced that the results showed nine more players tested positive for the Coronavirus. The league reports that 25 players have tested positive since testing began on June 23rd. The NBA also revealed that 10 team staffers out of 884 have tested positive for the illness to date.

NFL

No Agreement Yet On Length of Shortened Preseason

While the NFL is hoping to play at least two preseason games in 2020, there is no guarantee that it will be possible. According to the NFL Network, some members of the NFL Players’ Association are currently in favor of playing no preseason games this year. These reports come after sources said the NFL was planning on shortening the preseason to two games from four this year due to COVID-19 concerns.

The NFLPA must sign off on any decision the league makes, but they have not yet shown their approval of the plans to shorten the preseason to two games. A Board of Representatives call that will provide more information on the developments is scheduled to take place later today.

NHL

Toronto And Edmonton Expected To Be Named Hub Cities

Sportsnet says that Toronto and Edmonton are expected to be named the hub cities for the NHL season restart. The decision will be finalized once the players approve the league’s return-to-play plan, which is expected to happen later this week. Elliotte Friedman reported that teams will likely play in one of the two locations based upon conference alignment, so Eastern Conference teams will likely play in Toronto while Western Conference teams will be in Edmonton.

MLB

Teams Cannot Identify Players Who Test Positive For COVID-19

There will likely be players who test positive for COVID-19 this baseball season, but they will not have to reveal that information to the public unless they want to. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, “teams are not allowed to divulge the name of any player who tests positive.” The law goes on to state that only a player can reveal to the public that they tested positive for COVID-19. The MLBPA has not made a comment on the decision at this time.

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

2020 NFL Hall Of Fame Game Canceled, Enshrinement Postponed

First Preseason game of 2020 season scheduled for August has been canceled

It looks like we are going to have to wait longer than expected for our first football game of the 2020 NFL season. Early this morning, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that the opening game of the 2020 preseason, the NFL’s annual Hall of Fame Game, has been canceled. Also, the league announced the enshrinement ceremony for the 2020 Hall of Fame class will be postponed to next year.

Pro Football Hall of Fame CEO and President David Baker voiced his opinions on the decision. He explained that the health and safety of Hall of Famers and football fans came first and foremost when making this decision. “The health and safety of our Hall of Famers, fans and volunteers who make Enshrinement Week so special remains our top priority… the Hall will honor the Centennial Class of 2020 next August, along with what promises to be an equally spectacular Class of 2021…”

The Hall of Fame Game was scheduled to take place on August 6th, 2020. The game was supposed to be a matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys. However, now that the Hall of Fame Game is no longer taking place, the Steelers and Cowboys will be expected to report to training camp like the rest of the teams in the league in late July.

The 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will now be honored next summer in 2021. Eight individuals were elected to the Hall of Fame this year. Steve Atwater, Isaac Bruce, Steve Hutchinson, Edgerrin James, and Troy Polamalu, Head Coaches Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson, and three contributors: Steve Sabol, Paul Tagliabue, and George Young, will now all be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next summer with the class of 2021.

Sources: MLB Plans To Hold 60-Game Season

League is reportedly aiming for a July 24th restart

Multiple sources from the Associated Press and ESPN are saying that Major League Baseball plans on holding a 60-game season that will reportedly begin on July 24th. Sources went on to tell ESPN that for the plan to work, the league first needs players to sign off on health-and-safety protocols while also promising to arrive at home stadiums on July 1st to begin preparing for the season.

MLB Owners voted to implement a 60-game season on Monday. Just hours before that decision, the MLBPA rejected a proposal from the league that featured a 60-game season as well as an expanded postseason and certain types of “ancillary salary bumps.”

Major League Baseball decided to exercise its right to implement a season based on a decision that was agreed upon by both sides during negotiations back in March. According to the agreement, the league could make the regular season and postseason baseball schedule however long it wanted. ESPN is saying a 60-game season will allow the league to play as much baseball as possible before reaching its self-imposed cutoff date for regular season play, September 27th.

Multiple professional baseball players told ESPN that they expect to agree to the league’s call to report by July 1st as well as the league’s health-and-safety protocols. MLBPA executive subcommittee member Andrew Miller further drove this point home, telling ESPN, “we are ready to get back on the field.”

A 60-game regular season would be the shortest baseball season since 1878. If the league begins play on time, it will be the latest Opening Day in Major League Baseball History.

Coronavirus Update For 6/17/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NBA

League Lays Out Specific Plans, Health Protocols For Season Restart

Yesterday, the NBA sent teams a 100-plus page document that outlined almost every detail of what life will be like for players and staff at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida when the season restarts next month. The document explained social distancing guidelines as well as how the league plans to handle a player or staff member testing positive for COVID-19.

The document laid out a process for players or staff members to follow if they test positive for Coronavirus. First, they will be placed in “isolation housing” to avoid infecting others. The individual will then have to take another COVID-19 test as soon as possible in order to rule out the possibility of a false positive. A third Coronavirus test will be administered 24 hours after the first if the second test comes back negative. A person can only leave isolation once they record two negative Coronavirus test results in a 24 hour period.

MLB

Dr. Fauci Says MLB Season Shouldn’t Go Too Deep Into Fall

Yesterday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, voiced his concerns about the potential 2020 MLB season. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the doctor said baseball would be better served being played during the summer and not extending too far into late Fall.

“If the question is time, I would try to keep it in the core summer months and end it not with the way we play the World Series, until the end of October when it’s cold, I would avoid that.”

Dr. Fauci explaining that the MLB Season should not end too late

When to end the potential season has been a big talking point between the MLB and the Players’ Union. Dr. Fauci said that if baseball is to be played, it should be done mostly during the summer. The MLB season remains in jeopardy as the Commissioner’s office is currently refusing to set a schedule for the season in response to the players’ union’s decision to end negotiations with the league.

NHL

Players Reportedly Won’t Have To Wear Face Shields When Play Resumes

It seems the NHL is confident in its plans to contain COVID-19 when the season picks back up. According to ESPN, the National Hockey League will not expect players to wear face shields during gameplay when the season starts up again. ESPN is saying that this does not necessarily mean players will not wear some type of face-covering during competition.

A person who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press said that emphasis has been placed on player testing and other safety precautions outside of the arena. ESPN is saying that daily testing of players means additional on-ice safety equipment is not expected to be required for practices or games.

NFL

Ohio Governor Says Hall OF Fame Game Likely Won’t Have Fans

The first game of the NFL preseason will likely not have fans. Yesterday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that if the 2020 NFL Hall of Fame Game is played, it will likely be without fans in attendance. The game, which is scheduled for August 6th, will be a matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“As much as I hate to say this, because we’ve all been looking forward to that and I know how much it means to the Canton area and the Stark County area and, really, across the country, it’s a great, great event that we’ve been looking forward to, [but] having a crowd that size is highly unlikely. Certainly, it could not occur today. It would be very dangerous to do it today.”

Mike DeWine explains that fans likely won’t attend the Hall of Fame Game in an interview with WKYC-TV

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium reportedly has a capacity of 23,000. According to ProFootballTalk, July 1st appears to be the deadline for the final decision on whether or not the game will be played.

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Sources: Members Of Two NFL Teams Test Positive For COVID-19

Sources tell ESPN players on the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys have tested positive for Coronavirus

Earlier today, it was reported that players on the Cowboys and Texans tested positive for COVID-19. The news was first reported by Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Ezekiel Elliott is one of the players that has tested positive for the Coronavirus according to his agent. Zeke’s agent told the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Elliott is “feeling good.” However, Dallas could not provide any further information on the status of the all-star running back in a statement issued by the team shortly after the news was reported.

Sources say one player was reportedly feeling flu-like symptoms but is fine now. Meanwhile, sources also confirmed that another player who tested positive for the disease is currently asymptomatic. Previously, Von Miller of the Denver Broncos and Brian Allen of the Los Angeles Rams are the only other NFL players that have publicly revealed they tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Ian Rapoport, none of the players that tested positive for the disease have visited team facilities yet. Rapoport is also saying that the Texans and Cowboys are currently following all proper health protocols outlined by local health officials and the NFL.

Coronavirus Update For 6/14/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NBA

Players And Staff To Be Tested Every Other Day For Coronavirus In Orlando

The league sent out a memo to teams yesterday that outlined how Coronavirus testing will take place once the season starts back up again. The NBA said that the first Coronavirus tests for players and staff will happen on June 23rd and then take place every other day after that.

The memo said that all players and staff will be administered a COVID-19 test as well as a COVID-19 antibodies test. Each person on each team will then be tested every other day and two days directly before the team leaves to travel to Orlando. All clubs are scheduled to arrive in Florida between July 7th and July 9th.

NFL

League Commissioners Coming Together For ESPN Special Tomorrow

ESPN will be hosting a conversation tomorrow with a number of commissioners from some of the top professional sports leagues in America. Commissioners from the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, and WNBA will discuss the current state of sports and the concerns about Coronavirus Monday night on SportsCenter Special: The Return of Sports. The program will air from 9 PM to 11 PM EST.

MLB

Players’ Union Rejects Latest Proposal From Owners

There continues to be tension between Major League Baseball players and owners. Yesterday, the MLBPA asked the league to set a schedule for the 2020 season rather than counter the MLB’s latest collective bargaining agreement proposal. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark rejected the proposal and said, “further dialogue with the league would be futile. It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.”

An agreement between the two sides in March allows the MLB to set a schedule for this season. ESPN is saying that the league could impose a schedule of around 50 games that would reportedly pay players their full prorated salary.

NHL

Arizona Coyotes Staff Member Tests Positive For COVID-19

Yesterday, the Arizona Coyotes were informed that a member of their staff had tested positive for COVID-19. The male staffer has said he feels no symptoms of the disease, but he is still self-isolating at home at this time. All other members of the Coyotes’ organization that are in phase two of the NHL’s return-to-play protocols have tested negative for COVID-19.

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Sources: NBA Targeting Earlier Restart Date

ESPN is reporting July 30th may be the new date for the NBA restart

We may be getting basketball even earlier than first anticipated. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, sources told him the NBA is now eyeing a July 30th restart in Orlando for the 2019-20 NBA season. The league initially announced a tentative plan for play to resume on July 31st.

These reports came out despite the fact that sources told ESPN a portion of NBA players currently feel hesitant about a season restart. According to ESPN, about 40 to 50 players took part in a conference call yesterday where they discussed their concerns about restarting the season in Orlando, Florida at this time. Even though a call was held, sources say that no formal petition saying players do not want to participate in the games has been filed by the NBAPA at this time.

The NBA’s Board of Governors approved a 22-team restart plan for the league back on June 4th. Under the current plan, 13 teams from the West and nine teams from the East will participate in the events scheduled to take place in Orlando. Each team will play in eight regular-season games to determine the final standings for the Playoffs.

NHL Sets Date For Opening Of Stanley Cup Qualifier Training Camps

Training Camps to open on July 10th for NHL’s 24 qualifying playoff teams

We now know when we can expect Hockey players back on the ice. Earlier today, the NHL and the NHLPA announced that training camps for the 24 teams participating in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers will open on July 10th. The length of training camps and when actual play will resume has still not yet been determined.

This development means that the third phase of the NHL’s return-to-play plan will soon commence if allowed by medical and safety officials. The second phase of the NHL’s plan, which included small group workouts at team facilities, began on Monday. During this current phase, players are allowed to participate in small group workouts of no more than six people at a time.

The NHL announced a return-to-play plan that featured 24 teams competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs back on May 26th. The Stanley Cup Playoffs will first begin with 16 teams competing in eight best-of-five series while a round-robin style tournament is held between the top four teams from both conferences. The 12 teams from the East and 12 teams from the West are expected to play their games at two hub cities that have not yet been identified by the league.

NFL And NFLPA Discussing Shortening Preseason

NFL Network reports that discussions began today

There is a chance that we may miss out on some preseason NFL games this year. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the league and the players’ union are currently discussing the idea of shortening the 2020 NFL Preseason. Pelissero is saying that the league is considering going from four games to two this year.

Nothing has been finalized yet, but multiple team executives that know of the talks believe the NFL Preseason will be cut in half this year. The abbreviated preseason would allow players to spend more time working out while also giving medical experts more time to establish proper health and safety protocols so that the regular season can start on time and all games can be played.

Pelissero explained what he learned on NFL Now. He said, “none of this has to do with when the regular season would begin. This is strictly about the preseason, having the testing protocols, the game day protocols, all up to speed… Let’s go back to 2011, coming out of the lockout, there was a rash of injuries league statistically, hamstrings, Achilles injuries, and guys just coming back in not the best of shape…”

The first game of the NFL Preseason is scheduled to take place on August 6th when the Cowboys take on the Steelers in the NFL’s Hall of Fame Game. The NFL regular season is still expected to begin on-time on Thursday, September 10th.

Coronavirus Update For 6/8/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NBA

Sources: League Will Use Win Percentages To Determine Standings

According to sources, the NBA has decided that the standings for the league will be determined by winning percentage when play resumes next month. Sources also said that typical tie-breaking procedures will be used if necessary. These decisions are expected to play an important role in the final seeding of the Western Conference playoffs which has 13 teams competing for eight spots.

The league will be resuming the 2019-20 season next month in Orlando, Florida. 22 teams have been invited to the facilities to participate in eight regular-season games to determine who qualifies for the playoffs. Nine teams from the East and 13 teams from the West will be traveling to Orlando to participate in the events.

MLB

New Proposal From League Reportedly Features 76-Game Season

Sources are saying Major League Baseball has a new offer for a return-to-play plan. A source close to the negotiations told ESPN’s Karl Ravech the league made a proposal to the MLBPA earlier today for a new return-to-play plan. The proposal reportedly features a 76-game regular-season with players receiving 75% of their prorated salaries.

The plan also reportedly has a $200 million postseason pool for the players. Also, the proposal would have the MLB season end no later than October 31st. The playoff schedule, which would feature ten teams, has not yet been finalized.

NFL

Teams Receive Memo About Total Reopening Of Facilities

The league now has a plan in place for clubs to completely reopen team facilities. The NFL reportedly sent out a memo to all teams that states proper guidelines and protocols for the total reopening of training facilities.

The four-part memo breaks down the protocols players must follow to be allowed back into facilities. Some of the factors players must take into consideration include physical distancing, proper cleaning and hygiene, and even taking steps to educate yourself about the spread of COVID-19.

The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that no timetables have been set for when minicamps or training camps are expected to begin. However, Pelissero is reporting that the NFL and the NFLPA are discussing the possibility of certain players, like rookies or veterans on new teams, being allowed to return to facilities before June 26th.

NHL

League Transitioning To Next Phase Of Return-To-Play Plan

The National Hockey League continues to move closer to normalcy. The NHL announced that it is transitioning into phase two of its return-to-play plan. This means that teams will be allowed to reopen training facilities starting today if local regulations allow it.

During this next phase of the plan, NHL players and coaches will have much more freedom to work out and train. Players will be permitted to work out in small groups of no more than six. Players will also be required to wear face coverings at all times in the facility except when exercising or on the ice.

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Coronavirus Update For 6/4/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NBA

Sources: League Approves Plan To Restart Season In Orlando

Basketball is almost here! Earlier today, a source told ESPN that the league’s Board of Governors voted to approve the league’s 22-team format to restart the 2019-20 season. Sources say the plan was approved in a 29-1 vote.

Under the plan, 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams will head to Orlando, Florida to resume and eventually finish the 2019-20 NBA season. Each team will play in eight regular-season games to determine playoff seeding. There will be a potential play-in tournament for the eighth seed in either conference if necessary.

NHL

Source: League And Players’ Union Agree On Playoff Format

Hockey is coming back! According to ESPN’s sources, the NHL and the NHLPA have agreed on a playoff proposal. The plan features a 24-team qualifying tournament comprised of best-of-five series. Sources say all four rounds of the playoffs will be a best-of-seven series.

According to ESPN, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league is on track to hold Training Camps starting in July. Determining health and safety protocols will be the next step in the league’s plan to return to play.

MLB

League Reportedly Rejects MLBPA’s 114-Game Proposal

It looks like we will have to continue waiting for the return of Professional Baseball. ESPN’s sources have confirmed that Major League Baseball rejected the MLBPA’s return-to-play proposal that included a 114-game schedule with no additional salary cuts. Sources are saying the league did not make a counterproposal to the players’ union.

Players presented their proposal to the league on Sunday in response to management’s plan of an 82-game season. Under the players’ plan, the regular season would run from June 30th to October 31st. At this time the league has said it has no interest in extending the season into November.

NFL

Coaches Allowed To Return To Facilities This Week

NFL coaching staff members will be allowed to return to team facilities starting this week. Commissioner Goodell sent out a memo to clubs that said coaches will be allowed to return to team facilities starting tomorrow. The league has said that players who are not being treated for injuries are still not allowed to work out at team facilities at this time.

The memo states that coaches may only return to club facilities if the team “received necessary permission from state and local governments to reopen its facility.” Clubs may also have up to 100 employees at the team facility if given permission by local authorities.

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Sources: NBA Will Approve Plan For 22-Team Restart

Each team will reportedly participate in eight regular-season games

It looks like we finally have a clear picture of who will be playing basketball once the NBA resumes play. Earlier today, sources told ESPN the NBA’s Board Of Governors plans on approving the league’s plan for a 22-team restart in Orlando, Florida. The decision is expected to be voted on during a conference call tomorrow. Sources say that each of the 22 teams will play in eight regular-season games to determine playoff seeding.

There will reportedly be six other teams joining the league’s 16 current playoff teams this year. ESPN’s sources say that the Washington Wizards will play in the Eastern Conference while the Pelicans, Trail Blazers, Suns, Kings, and Spurs will participate in the West.

According to ESPN, if the number nine seed is more than four games back from the eighth seed, then the eighth seed will make the playoffs. However, if the ninth seed is less than four games back, then a play-in tournament will be held.

The NBA’s Board of Governors will be voting on the restart proposal tomorrow. The board needs three-fourths approval from the league’s 30 teams for the plan to pass. The Board of Governor’s conference call is scheduled to take place tomorrow at 12:30 PM EST.

Sources: Date Proposed For Final Game Of NBA Season

Game Seven of the NBA Finals would reportedly take place on Oct. 12th if necessary

The picture of what the NBA restart might look like seems to be getting clearer. Earlier today, sources told ESPN that a timeline shared with teams for a potential season restart has marked down October 12th as the last possible day for an NBA Finals Game Seven. This timeline follows the proposed 22-team format that would have the league resume the season starting on July 31st.

According to ESPN’s sources, Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to have a proposal for the NBA’s Board of Governors to vote on when they speak on Thursday. Sources are also saying that if the proposed 22-team format is approved, then the league would hold the draft and free agency in that order in October following the conclusion of the NBA Finals.

The plan that seems to be gaining the most momentum for an NBA restart involves 22 teams. The top eight seeds from both the Eastern and Western Conferences will participate in regular-season games, play-in games, and playoff games. ESPN’s sources are reporting that “six more teams within six games of the eighth seed in each conference” will also participate in these match-ups as well.

NFL Training Camp Only Allowed At Team Facilities

League expected to make change to off-season policy by late-July

The NFL is making yet another change to the off-season schedule as the world continues to feel the impact of the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic. According to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, earlier today, the league informed all 32 clubs that training camps will only be held at team facilities this season. Fans had previously been allowed to attend NFL Training camps at designated locations across the country before this season.

The purpose of the decision is to limit the amount of travel and potential exposure to COVID-19. ESPN is reporting that there are seven teams that are expecting to hold their training camps at locations different from where their training facilities are.

This afternoon, two franchises announced the cancellation of training camps held outside team facilities. It is being reported that the Panthers will not be holding their training camp at Wofford College in South Carolina for the first time in franchise history. It is also being reported that the Dallas Cowboys will not hold Training Camp in Oxnard, California this summer as originally scheduled.

ESPN is reporting that the league plans to announce the policy change soon. Also, the league reportedly has a tentative start date of late July for the beginning of camps.

Coronavirus Update For 6/1/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NBA

Sources: Board Of Governors Expected To Approve Commissioner’s Restart Plan

According to ESPN’s sources, the NBA’s Board of Governors is expected to approve Commissioner Adam Silver’s season restart plan this week. The Board of Governors will be voting on the plan this Thursday. The proposal needs three-fourths majority approval to be passed.

Under the plan, the NBA would bring 22 teams to Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida to play games during the summer. Sources are saying that this plan would likely include regular-season and play-in games to determine the finalized seeding for the playoffs in both the Eastern and Western conferences.

Sources say the NBA has not yet endorsed a restart plan. Sources are also saying that one plan, which included allowing all 30 teams to resume play, is no longer possible.

MLB

Sources: MLBPA Delivers Return-To-Play Counterproposal To League

According to ESPN, the Major League Baseball Players’ Association presented a return-to-play plan to the league on Sunday. Sources say the plan includes a 114-game season, deferred salaries in case the season is canceled, and an opt-out option for all players concerned about the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The proposal says that the 114-game season would run from June 30th to October 31st. However, Major League Baseball originally suggested the season only be 82-games long.

ESPN says the players’ association expects the league to reject this offer. However, the union is hopeful that this proposal will bridge the gap between these two sides and allow them to come to an agreement to return-to-play later this week.

NHL

League Expecting To Test Players Daily If Play Resumes

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that the league will test players for COVID-19 daily if play resumes. He said, “we will have a rigorous daily testing protocol where players are tested every evening and those results are obtained before they would leave their hotel rooms the next morning, so we’ll know if we have a positive test and whether the player has to self-quarantine himself as a result of that positive test… It’s expensive, but we think it’s really a foundational element of what we’re trying to accomplish.”

The league says that each Coronavirus test costs approximately $125. Commissioner Gary Bettman estimates that the league will need between 25,000 to 35,000 tests to get through the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Commissioner believes that testing will cost the league millions.

NFL

DeSean Jackson: Players Should Be Miked Up If There Are No Fans

Philadelphia Eagles’ Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson has admitted that it will be a “culture shock” if there are no fans in NFL stadiums this season. However, DJax has said that if that ends up being the case, players should be miked up for games so that fans can get a behind-the-scenes look at the NFL. Jackson appeared on teammate Lane Johnson’s podcast, Outside The Lane, where he explained how great of an opportunity it could be.

“I think they should [mike up players]. They should give fans the [insight] to see what really goes on between the white lines… It gets crazy, bro. I know in the trenches it gets crazy. And I know on the outside it gets crazy, too, the conversations we go back and forth on.”

DeSean Jackson on the Outside The Lane Podcast

The NFL is still preparing contingency plans for the 2020 season. Last week, Dolphins’ Owner Stephen Ross did say on CNBC, “we’re planning to have fans in the stadium.”

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Coronavirus Update For 5/28/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NFL

Commissioner Announces Next Plans For Starting Season On-Time

The NFL is giving players a bit more time to work from home. Earlier today, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league’s virtual off-season workout program has been extended another two weeks. Another important detail that was included in the announcement was that coaches could return to team facilities as early as next week.

The announcement was made in a memo sent out by the Commissioner to all teams and club presidents. Players are still not allowed to return to team facilities at this time. The memo states that the NFLPA is developing protocols with the league to get players back into facilities “before the conclusion of the offseason program.”

MLB

Players’ Union Proposal Suggests More Games, Full Prorated Salaries

The MLB and the MLBPA are at each other’s throats right now as the two sides are working to come to an agreement that will allow baseball to be played this year. According to ESPN’s sources, the MLB Players’ Association will be countering the league’s initial return-to-play offer with an offer of their own that includes more than 100 games and full, prorated salaries for players. According to sources close to the talks, MLB players “essentially pledged to ignore the league’s proposal” when it was presented to them on Wednesday.

ESPN is reporting that the MLB’s original proposal called for a pay decrease on top of prorated player salaries. ESPN says that under the league’s proposal, a player like Mike Trout would be paid less than $6 million to play in 82 games this season. Trout’s base salary for the 2020 season was scheduled to be $36 million.

NHL

League Awards Regular-Season Trophies

Now that the NHL has ended the regular season, the league has decided to hand out the awards that are presented after each year. The Boston Bruins were awarded the President’s Cup Trophy for leading the league standings with 100 points on the season. The awards didn’t stop there for Boston though. Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak were given the William H Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the NHL this season. Leon Draisaitl won the Art Ross Trophy for the first time in his career after leading the NHL in points this season with 110 in 71 games. Lastly, there was a tie for the Maurice Richards Trophy this season, which is awarded to the league’s top goalscorer each year. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin and Boston’s David Pastrnak both finished the regular season tied for first with 48 goals apiece.

NBA

2020 Basketball Hall Of Fame Enshrinement Delayed

Yesterday, Jerry Colangelo, the chairman of the board of governors for the Hall of Fame, told ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan that the enshrinement ceremony for the 2020 Hall of Fame class will be moved to the Spring of 2021. The 2020 Class includes Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett.

The original dates of the enshrinement were supposed to be from August 28th through August 30th. The proposed alternate dates of October 10th-12th are “just not feasible” at this time, according to ESPN. Colangelo said that the Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors will meet June 10th to discuss dates for the Spring enshrinement ceremony.

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

NHL Going Straight To Playoffs If Season Resumes

League will be adopting a 24-team format for this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs if they are held

The NHL now has a plan set in place for the 2019-20 season to continue. Earlier today, the league announced it will be forgoing the remainder of the regular season and jump right into the playoffs if play can be resumed. The league will be utilizing a playoff system that features 24 teams as opposed to the usual 16.

The decision was announced by Commissioner Gary Bettman during a press conference this afternoon. While the announcement does inspire hope, Bettman did say that the choice does not guarantee that play will be able to resume any time soon. The league is reportedly still working with the Players’ Union on safety protocols and potential locations where games can be played.

Under the 24-team format, the top four seeded teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences (East: Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington, Philadelphia. West: St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas, Dallas) will participate in a round-robin-type tournament to determine playoff seeding. The remaining 16 teams will participate in eight different best-of-five series featuring the 5th through 12th seeded teams in both conferences.

The decision to call off the regular season means that the league will end up playing 189 fewer games than originally scheduled. Also, the 24-team format means that the 2019-20 NHL season has ended for eight teams: Buffalo, New Jersey, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Ottawa, and Detroit.

Coronavirus Update For 5/25/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NHL

League Ready For Next Step In Season Resumption

The NHL sent a memo out to teams over the weekend that said the league is ready to move to the next phase of its return-to-play plan. The memo that was circulated said teams can begin to prepare to move into phase two of the plan. This means players will soon be able to begin working out in small groups at team facilities.

The NHL has not selected an exact date for when it will begin its next phase. It is being reported that the league is eyeing early June for the start date of phase two. Phase one of the NHL’s plan, which involved self-isolation, began back on March 12th.

MLB

NY Governor Says Pro Teams Can Return To Facilities

Yesterday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that teams in New York can return to their facilities for training. All training and activities for professional sports in New York state had been paused for the last two months.

The Governor had a news conference yesterday in which he welcomed the return of sports to NY. “Starting today, all the New York professional sports leagues will be able to begin training camps…” he said. The MLB, NHL, and NBA are all discussing resuming their seasons with their respective players’ unions.

NBA

Patrick Ewing Out Of Hospital After COVID-19 Diagnosis

Earlier today, former NBA star Patrick Ewing told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that he is recovering at home after being diagnosed with Coronavirus. On Friday, Ewing announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was being treated at a Washington DC hospital.

Patrick Ewing Jr. has been giving updates on his father’s condition. Ewing Jr. confirmed over twitter that his father was out of the hospital and is “now home and getting better.”

NFL

Woods/Manning Beat Mickelson/Brady To Win “The Match”

Four of the most recognizable faces in the world of sports came together to raise money for charity. Yesterday, Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson teamed up to take on Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods in The Match: Champions for Charity at Medalist Golf Club. Despite the bad weather, these stars gave us quite a show.

There was playful banter and teasing between the participants. Even some of the most famous stars in the NFL tuned in to watch the match. In the end, Woods and Manning came out on top, but everybody left a winner that day. The exhibition match helped raise $20 million for Coronavirus Relief efforts.

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Coronavirus Update For 5/23/20

Here is the latest information we have to date regarding sports and COVID-19

NHL

Players’ Association Board Approves 24-Team Playoff Format

Yesterday, the executive board of the NHLPA elected to approve a 24-team playoff format, based on conference, for a potential restart of the 2019-20 season. The league is reportedly hoping that it can resume play this summer. The NHL paused the 2019-20 regular season back on March 12th.

Under the proposal, the top four seeds from both conferences will receive byes in the first round of the postseason. Also, the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will feature eight different best-of-five play-in series. These series will take place between the teams ranked five through 12 in both the East and the West Conference Standings.

NBA

League Talking About Resuming Play At Disney’s ESPN Complex

Earlier today, a spokesperson for the NBA said the league is discussing resuming the 2019-20 season at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. NBA Spokesperson Mike Bass said that play would take place at the complex located in Orlando, Florida, and start sometime in July.

Bass said, “the NBA, in conjunction with the National Basketball Players Association, is engaged in exploratory conversations with The Walt Disney Company about restarting the 2019-20 NBA season in late July at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida as a single site for an NBA campus for games, practices and housing.” He continued by explaining the league’s main concerns at this time. “Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all involved, and we are working with public health experts and government officials on a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure that appropriate medical protocols and protections are in place.”

It is still unclear if the NBA will resume the 2019-20 regular season or jump right into the playoffs. ESPN says that the 220-acre complex should allow the league to restart play while also limiting outside exposure to the Coronavirus.

MLB

Players’ Union Asks For More Coronavirus Testing Than Proposed

On Thursday, the MLBPA gave management a response to a set of protocols that were proposed for the upcoming season regarding how the league will handle the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic. The union addressed issues like player protection, access to doctors, protocols for testing, and several other factors that influence that start of the 2020 season.

The Players’ Association is mainly focused on the availability of COVID-19 tests. According to ESPN, “the union wants more frequent testing than management’s proposed ‘multiple times per week.'” The league is expected to make an economic proposal to the players’ association over the next few days.

NFL

Mahomes Speaks At Texas Tech’s Virtual Commencement

Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes had the opportunity to speak at Texas Tech’s virtual commencement ceremony earlier today. His message to the graduates was simple, “go out and win your Super Bowl.”

Mahomes spoke to the 2020 Red Raiders’ graduating class for a little less than two minutes. One of the most important things he said was, “I know this isn’t the graduation ceremony that you and your families had envisioned, but that doesn’t change the outcome or all the hard work, long hours and sacrifices that you made to achieve this milestone… I know this is sure not how you imagined spending your last days as a student.” Texas Tech held its graduation ceremony virtually because of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

NCAA

All Athletes Can Resume On-Campus Activities Starting June

Yesterday, the NCAA D-I Council announced that athletes from all sports can resume voluntary, on-campus workouts beginning on June 1st. The announcement means that all athletes can continue individual workouts as long as they abide by state and local health protocols.

This decision is not that surprising. On Wednesday, the organization said that athletes participating in football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball could resume voluntary workouts starting on June 1st.

Continue checking oddsusa.com for more updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Hall Of Famer Patrick Ewing Tests Positive For COVID-19

Knicks Legend and current Georgetown Coach tests positive for Coronavirus

Yet another sports superstar is being directly impacted by the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic. Yesterday, Georgetown University’s Athletics Department released a statement saying Patrick Ewing has tested positive for COVID-19. Ewing decided he wanted to share his diagnosis publicly so that people understand the virus can affect anybody.

In the statement released by the university, Ewing had some important things to say about the Pandemic. He said, “I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly… I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Now more than ever, I want to thank the healthcare workers and everyone on the front lines. I’ll be fine and we will all get through this.”

According to the school, Ewing is the only member of the Georgetown Men’s Basketball program to test positive for the virus. At this time, Ewing is currently being cared for at a local hospital in Washington DC where he remains in isolation.

Patrick Ewing played in the NBA from 1985 to 2002. He bounced around as an assistant coach for a few different teams after he retired from his playing career. Ewing has served as the head coach of the Georgetown Men’s Basketball team since 2017.

NHLPA Approves 24-Team Playoff Format

Players’ Association Board approves playoff proposal amidst ongoing pandemic

We are getting closer and closer to the possible return of professional Hockey. Yesterday, the executive board of the NHL Players’ Association voted to approve a 24-team playoff format so that the league can finish the 2019-20 season which was paused back in March. It is believed that the playoffs would take place this summer if the league decides to resume the current season.

The Players’ Union issued a statement about the decision last night. They said, “the Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup. Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play…”

Under the proposal, 12 teams from the Eastern and 12 teams from the Western conferences will qualify for the playoffs. The top four teams in the East and in the West will qualify for a first-round bye under the proposal, so eight teams in total will not have to participate in a play-in series. The teams in both conferences ranked from five to 12 will participate in a best-of-five play-in series to see who advances to the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Once the playoff field has been cut down to 16 teams, the league said it will go back to the traditional seven-game series.

According to ESPN, fans will not be allowed to attend the games. Also, the league said it is still working out the logistics of setting up and actually playing out these games. ESPN is saying that the league is considering using just one or two “hub cities” for a season restart.