Never mind the sporting industry, COVID-9 is fast beginning to take its toll on the US sports betting industry as well.
The numbers of sports betting options available is growing smaller by the day as one major sporting body after another cancels or postpones up-coming events
On Wednesday we reported that the National Baseball Association (NBA) had announced it had postponed all matches until further notice after a Utah Jazz player, Rudy Gobert, tested positive for the virus. Subsequently a second Utah player, Donovan Mitchell, has also tested positive
On Thursday reports began pouring in from all directions of many more major sports events or tournaments either being postponed or cancelled.
‘March Madness’ scrapped for 2020’
Next up was Pro golf’s US PGA Tour. It first of all scrapped this weekend’s Players Championship while it was in progress. Then it also cancelled all events up to early April with no mention of these events returning to the Tour when it resumes.
They are the Valspar Championship, WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship and the Texas Open.
The next tournament on the PGA Tour schedule not yet canceled, is the season’s first major, the Masters, due to start on April 9 at Augusta National.
“It is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of The Players Championship,” their statement read.
“We have also decided to cancel all PGA Tour events – across all of our Tours – in the coming weeks, through to the Valero Texas Open.
“We have pledged from the start to be responsible, thoughtful and transparent with our decision process.”
PGA Golf cancels all March events
“Then you have Tom Brady on the other side of the country and he’s a legend over there. So if I got to play with (both of) them it would be an amazing opportunity.”
“Here’s why I think it (Brady) would be a good fit,” explained Ekeler who is staying with the Chargers after signing a four-year, $24.5m extension.
“We’ve just lost a lot of leadership in Philip Rivers, right? So it’s like, all right, we have a void t now.
“Also, Russell Okung, one of our tackles, got traded. He was one of our team leaders as well. So there’s a bigger void in leadership right there.
“It’s an opportunity for people to step up, sure, but if you bring a guy like Tom Brady into the room; well he’s been there, he’s done it all before.
“He’s already got the leadership qualities and he’s already proven that he’s a winner. So hey, let’s build something around that, too.”
IHL puts ice off-limits until “appropriate” time
Ice Hockey is also on the list. The NHL has “paused” its 2019-20 season league commissioner Gary Bettman has announced.
Ten NHL games were scheduled for Thursday before the league confirmed their suspensions.
Bettman said the NHL would aim to “resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudent”, with the aim of completing the season and awarding the title.
MLS suspends all matches for 30 Days
David Beckham’s new MLS soccer team, Inter Miami, will have to wait a little longer for their home debut. All Major League Soccer games have also been suspended for 30 days with immediate effect.
MLS commissioner Don Garber has confirmed all 26 clubs were “united” in opting to halt fixtures with immediate effect “due to the Coronavirus outbreak”.
“Our clubs were united today in the decision to temporarily suspend our season. It was based on the advice and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on the Public Health Agency of Canada, and other public health authorities.It is in the best interest of our fans, players, officials and employees,” Garber said
Baseball delays start by two weeks
Major League Baseball, meanwhile, has delayed the start of its 2020 season by two weeks as part of measures it is introducing in response to the spread of the Coronavirus.
All 30 MLB teams were due to begin their campaigns on March 26.
The league has also cancelled all spring training games as of 16:00 Eastern Time (20:00 GMT) on Thursday. It has postponed indefinitely the 2020 World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Tucson, Arizona.
“MLB and the clubs have been preparing a variety of contingency plans regarding the 2020 regular season schedule,” their statement read.
“MLB will announce the effects on the schedule at an appropriate time and will remain flexible as events warrant, with the hope of resuming normal operations as soon as possible.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our players, employees and fans. MLB will continue to undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts.
No word yet from the NFL.
At the timer of going to press there had been no word from US betting’s No 1 draw card, the National Football League.
With their 101 season only due to begin on September 10, they have no need to cancel or postpone matches at this time.
In the interim, though, they are expected to introduce some special measures in an attempt to restrict the pandemic on their training grounds and changing rooms
There isn’t too much of it around as yet, but here’s some good news for the New Jersey sportsbooks and their patrons.
Some good news: Premier League not closing shop
The British Premier League is not closing up shop. It is going ahead as planned with no games behind closed doors.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Thursday the British government would not yet be cancelling large-scale public events, though that is subject to change.
Following this announcement, the Premier League – now the only major European league not to either postponed or set to be played behind closed doors – confirmed it was going ahead with this week’s fixtures. And it’s a big week, especially for Liverpool.
The Merseyside derby is among the latest round of games, with Liverpool just two wins away from clinching a first league title since 1990.
“Following the latest update from government issued this afternoon, all Premier League matches will go ahead as scheduled this weekend,” a statement on the league’s official website read.
Shortly after the statement was released, Arsenal confirmed head coach Mikel Arteta had tested positive for the Coronavirus.
It is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of THE PLAYERS Championship and all events through the Valero Texas Open. https://t.co/r01TeB83yK
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 13, 2020