Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

Coronavirus and Sports

Prolonged Absence Could Cost Sports Its Standing In Society

Fans will ultimately decide when they are ready to pack venues for sporting eventsGETTY IMAGES

The "whole idea of sports as we have known it might not ever be the same" following the coronavirus pandemic, according to Mike Lupica of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. If there are no sports for the rest of this year, "we lose ... the idea of sports as the same pillar of society that it has always been" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/5). THE WALL STREET JOURNAL's Robinson, Cohen & Higgins write the "people with the power are the ones who packed the stands," so sports will "only be normal once the public decides it's socially and psychologically acceptable to be around thousands of strangers again." Warriors co-Owner Joe Lacob in an email said, "The overall biggest long-term problem for sports is the fear associated with public interaction. When does that go away? When will society decide that it is once again safe to interact in public? That is the big question for sports teams and leagues" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/6). In Boston, Tom Keegan writes expecting athletes to "lead the way back to normalcy this time is neither realistic nor fair to anyone either playing professional sports or watching them on TV." President Trump "expressed hope" during his conference call with league commissioners on Saturday, but it was "hope and nothing more." Keegan: "There was nothing wrong with expressing it -- but with a constantly shifting, invisible target, it's tough to share that optimism" (BOSTON HERALD, 4/6). 

NO RETURN ANYTIME SOON: In L.A., Helene Elliott wrote sports will have to "wait until the pandemic is beaten down," and that day "seems a long way off" (L.A. TIMES, 4/5). In Atlanta, Michael Cunningham wrote under the header, "Can't See Sports Returning With Later 'Waves' Of COVID-19 Possible" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 4/4). In San Jose, Dieter Kurtenbach writes the "only surefire way to return to the norm [of] teams traveling all over the country to play in front of sold-out arenas is a vaccine." Kurtenbach: "I'd hope the lesson was learned and the leagues will err on the side of caution, not capital. And I'd hope that governments will stop all those who make the wrong decision" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 4/6). In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde writes it is "not even time to think of going back to games right now," and sports execs "know this best of all." They are "at the back of the line of importance." But sports will "serve a purpose someday, of course," to "tell us life is back to normal when it's ready to get back there." Hyde: "Maybe that's August. Maybe it's a year from August. Who knows?" (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 4/6).

LONGER DELAY THAN EXPECTED? The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly writes sports "as we knew them are over." The various pro leagues "continue to talk as though this season might be salvaged," but it "won't." Kelly: "Next season is looking doubtful. I've already come to terms with the idea that there won't be a 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Because the people who know ... all say we are 18-months minimum from a COVID-19 vaccine. That means 18 months is also the minimum before large groups can gather in public again." It is increasingly looking like '22 will be the "earliest moment for a resumption of all normal activities" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/6).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2020/04/06/Coronavirus-and-Sports/Should-Sports-Return.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2020/04/06/Coronavirus-and-Sports/Should-Sports-Return.aspx

CLOSE