In Baltimore, Peter Schmuck wrote it still is "hard to trivialize the damage that a protracted moratorium on large sporting and other big events" caused by the coronavirus outbreak "might do to an already struggling Orioles organization and a strained local economy." The Orioles now are "facing the prospect of a shortened home schedule at a time when attendance already is in stark decline." The '19 season saw a fifth straight drop to a season total for a non-strike year (1,307,807), a figure that "hasn’t been lower" since the '70s. Even before the pandemic, the prospect of avoiding a sixth straight downturn was "not good" (BALTIMORE SUN, 3/16).
NO DEAL? NBCSPORTS.com's Peter King wrote the "economy, the coronavirus and the losing are coming at a very bad time" for the NFL Giants. This is MetLife Stadium's 11th season, meaning it is "time for those suite-holders who had 10-year contracts on their suites to renew, and it’s time for those who had five-year deals to renew too." King: "You wouldn’t have expected renewals to go well in this environment, and they’re not" (NBCSPORTS.com, 3/16).
STORM UPDATE: In Tampa, Mari Faiello reported the Lightning closed "all of their facilities" beginning Monday at 5:00pm ET through the end of the month. In addition, the team said that it will "delay the first payment" on the '20-21 season-ticket memberships, "originally scheduled for Monday, until April 15." That plan will "create a prorated 11-month payment plan for season ticket holders." Fans with a six-month payment plan can "expect their plans condensed to five months." Lightning season-ticket holders still are "eligible for the 'Cheer Now, Pay Later' Stanley Cup Playoffs program, which would begin when the season resumes and if the Lightning earns a playoff berth" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/16).
COUNTING LOSSES: In Montreal, Brendan Kelly wrote, "Clearly the Canadiens will take a financial hit if the season is cancelled, but they’re only losing four home games." It is a "much worse potential hit for any team that was going to go deep into the playoffs." Team Owner Groupe CH, which also owns Laval Rocket and Evenko, is going to be "hit much harder by the losses at Evenko" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 3/17).
