The rapid growth of COVID-19 cases has grounded all social activities, leaving the current and upcoming seasons of every professional, amateur, college and youth sports league hanging in the wind.
As sports officials frantically find ways to save their seasons, fans are fulfilling their competitive withdrawals with highlight reels, reruns of classic games and documentaries.
The varied decisions to postpone, suspend or move forward with these live events have left many people wondering if the response is too drastic. Others just want to know when sports will return.
Why Sports Are on Hold?
Based on federal, state and public health authority guidelines, sporting events have shut down to slow the rapid spread of the coronavirus as well as protect the health of players, staff and spectators.
The latest federal guidelines advise keeping social distancing measures, which include limiting gatherings to 10 people, in place until at least April 30.
On March 11, the NBA suspended its season after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic and Rudy Gobert, center for the Utah Jazz, announced his positive test results.
As the month ends, 15 players across seven teams have tested positive for COVID-19. The college-level NCAA quickly followed the professional association by canceling its highly anticipated March Madness tournaments.
National leagues representing hockey, soccer, baseball, tennis, golf, and racing now also have postponed or suspended seasons while major events are tentatively rescheduled.
The annual April Boston Marathon plans to return in September while the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Japan will now likely take place next summer.
Playing Games Without Fans
The idea of players continuing to compete with no spectators had a brief rallying cry. The NBA, XFL Football and PGA all considered proceeding without fans.
However, while seeing our favorite athletes battle across our television screens would certainly be a morale and entertainment boost, it still puts too many people at risk.
Even in a scaled-back environment, the potential for transmitting the coronavirus is too high. Social distancing is not possible when dozens of players, coaches, referees, stadium workers and broadcast crews are gathered together.
It is also impractical to test everyone who comes into the facility. Since athletes would have to travel, they would be violating stay home orders issues by more than 30 states, and they have a significantly higher risk of spreading the virus to their families.
Before the NBA even announced its decision, legend-status players like LeBron James had lukewarm reactions to playing without spectators. James told the Road Trippin’ podcast that a game without fans has no excitement, crying, joy or competitive spirit, which creates a weird dynamic.
Still, the league is exploring options for streaming matchups to fans in their homes. Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, told CNBC that people need sports because it gives them something to get excited about, rally around and celebrate.
Look for Sports to Return Early Summer
While hopes are high among fans and stakeholders for a late-April to mid-May return, there are too many unknowns right now to predict if this is even possible.
The reality is that some semblance of normal life is not likely to resume anytime soon. The latest hopeful projections look to June as a rebound date, but everything is resting on how quickly we “flatten the curve.”
By following federal, state and public health authority guidelines, we can consistently decrease infections and get back to playing sports in our multimillion-dollar stadiums and neighborhood parks.
Even once regulations are lifted, sports leagues will need to relaunch with caution to ensure that new cases don’t spike again.
In the meantime, league leaders have many details to sort out. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has hopes for salvaging some of the season, but it is unclear if that plan includes the final games of the regular season or just playoffs.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred postponed Opening Day, originally scheduled for March 26, and noted that a full 162-game season is not probable. NASCAR is looking at options for doubleheader weekends.
Although it’s impossible to predict when sports will return, athletic events are fundamental to American culture. We bond over these shared experiences, which will be essential in leading our country toward a sense of normalcy again.
