The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for a hard reset on sports. (As the computer techie would say – did you try just turning your computer off, then back on again to fix the problem?) Different managing entities in an array of sports are handling it well, and others are handling it in an embarrassing fashion exposing the problems they had before the pandemic had occurred.
The lucky one is the NFL. The NFL had just completed their Super Bowl (early February 2020) when the COVID-19 virus was beginning to prove itself a worldwide pandemic, rather than the localized upsized flu. All Roger Goodell had to do was make sure the draft went off without a hitch. Removing the pomp and circumstance of the draft, Goodell and the NFL held the event virtually and to great reception. If the NFL gets even more lucky, the pandemic will have eased enough for them to begin the 2020 season in earnest, or with a modest delay.
The unlucky sports handling things reasonably well are the NBA and NHL, each of which had their seasons paused midway when the pandemic was in full flight in the US. The NBA has agreed to play a shortened season and an extended playoff in Orlando, Florida. Players will be quarantined with family in the area. I suspect this quarantine is to aid the NBA in protecting its prized products – the athletes themselves. If the NBA could ‘get away with’ having fans in arenas without putting their athletes at risk, I think they would go for it regardless of the risks fans will be putting themselves through to sit in packed arenas.
Like the NBA, the NHL will play a shortened season, in hub cities yet to be determined. Similar to the NBA’s plan, the NHL is also curtailing the number of teams qualified to continue with the shortened regular season. The problem here (as the respective unions likely voiced) is that the athletes of teams not qualifying for the seasons still get paid. If I’m the 12th man on the NBA team that qualifies, or the 22nd man on the NHL team that qualifies, I’m not sure I’m good with having to play (quarantined with family in one or two cities, taking on the risks of catching the virus from other participating athletes) to be paid when that 12th man on a roster of a team left out is on his couch munching on the snack of the day while collecting his league minimum.
On to the NCAA. Ooohhhhh the NCAA. Only the NCAA could, in one fell swoop, insult 80% of its athletes and coaches, while admitting (without admitting) that the money making sports were more important. The NCAA had the gall to announce startup plans for football and basketball (the money sports) rather than initiating plans for all Fall sports at the same time. You guessed it, follow the money. Rather than addressing fall sports first and equally, the NCAA instead announced the plans for its money sports. So much for the student athlete experience, it is really about the NCAA’s financial experience, a dismal one without football or basketball. This has already proven to be a risky endeavor. Clemson football, having only begun practices this past June, has already diagnosed 37 athletes with COVID-19. Sooo, tell me again why it is so important to start the season? Follow the money…
Finally, “dogs and cats, living together… it is mass hysteria” – Thanks Peter Venkman. If you’d thought you’d seen it all, how about the country club elites (PGA), reaching out to the country boys (NASCAR) for advice on how to restart their sport. Yep I said it, the PGA contacted NASCAR for direction on a restart to their season as NASCAR successfully pulled off its first races in May. The PGA soon followed in earnest with great viewership, but with growing risk… Nick Watney recently tested positive, and others are pulling out at every turn so as not to risk contracting the disease. Athletes are taking to a good friend of mine’s recent quote (paraphrased), “I don’t want to be the one SOB who gets COVID-19 and has the symptoms”.
Broadcasters including myself, will be put to a decision. Accept the call to broadcast the games, or choose to decline the opportunity. I believe that the limitations being placed on spectators will drastically increase the viewer’s demands for broadcasted events (my niche in NCAA volleyball, as well as other sports) on both digital and linear platforms. If it is just me with a play by play personality, along with the production crew, (and the athletes and officials), and if the environment is safe (clean areas, mikes and the like disinfected), I am in. However, athletes in every sport have a tougher decision to make…
Paul MacDonald - Sports Broadcaster 