COVID-19 has created many issues in various industries, leaving virtually no sector or profession unscathed. Sports have now joined others in their efforts to stop the spread of the virus by shutting down nearly across the world. Just two weeks ago, the idea of leagues and companies shutting down over the virus seemed absurd. Now, the few that are trying to remain active seem to garner the most questions and concerns.
In local news, U Sports, the league that UFV’s varsity sports and teams compete for, has been no different in its struggle to manage with the spreading virus. After announcing that the men’s and women’s volleyball championships would be played without fans and only limited staff and family members on Thursday, March 12, the league stated later on that same day that both the championships would be cancelled, along with hockey’s upcoming championships. This comes among other cancellations, such as the All-Canadian awards banquet.
The world of professional sports is seeing a shutdown unlike any in modern history, with all major leagues shutting down operations in North America and many European leagues postponing or cancelling games. This is in large part due to restrictions on arena capacities and public gatherings, which originally meant that fans would be excluded, but games would proceed. Quickly, the situation went from no spectators to complete shutdown, as the NBA, NHL, and other notable sporting leagues announced the suspension of all games.
As leagues continue cancelling and suspending their operations, very few have remained open. The UFC, which was the only major MMA promotion left running and the last major sports league still active, has now closed. The controversial decision to remain open was big news for the world of MMA but now they align with Bellator MMA and One Championship, the other two major leagues which have either adapted, suspended, or cancelled their shows.
The most controversial of the closures so far was the NCAA, which early last week hadn’t yet decided to cancel their yearly spring tournament, known as March Madness. With networks paying hundreds of millions of dollars for the rights to broadcast the tournament, many speculated that the decision had more to do with money than with safety. The lack of shutdown was scrutinized by Charles Barkley, a legend of basketball and a broadcaster for CBS.
“I give Adam Silver a lot of credit, man. Let’s shut this thing down and try to figure it out,” said Barkley, referencing Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, who decided to suspend NBA games before other leagues made their decisions to cancel or suspend games. March Madness has since been cancelled.
New updates every day suggest that more teams and leagues will step down across the world to reduce the spread of the virus. What we can already tell is that the world of sports is shutting itself down rapidly. Sports fans and players can only hope that things improve soon, or else many of the postponed and suspended events may be cancelled outright. Regardless, the cancellations are necessary and set up leagues, players, and fans for a chance to dodge this virus, which continues to plague thousands in the world today.
