The coronavirus outbreak has led to massive global disruption, something we're seeing play out in real time in the sports world. With the public's health a top priority, leagues across the globe have been forced to take drastic measures that include playing games without fans, to canceling major events altogether. Below, a roundup of how some of the world's most prominent sports leagues and institutions are adjusting to our new reality.
NBA
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that the rest of the NBA season would be suspended. The news came shortly after it was reported that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert had tested positive for COVID-19, speeding up the decision to cancel the remaining games. Additionally, his teammate Donovan Mitchell also tested positive.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver appeared on TNT Thursday and said the NBA hiatus will be "at least 30 days."
Prior to this, the NBA released a joint announcement with the NHL, MLB, and MLS announcing that team locker rooms will be closed to media and any non-essential personnel as of Tuesday.
The league and Board of Governors/owners held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss ways to play games and finish out the season without increasing the threat of infection.
Wojnarowski, along with Zach Lowe, later reported that the consensus of the meeting was to "either continue season with no fans in arenas -- or have NBA take a hiatus for a period time."
Reporting with @ZachLowe_NBA: Consensus among owners on Board of Governors call with league office was either continue season with no fans in arenas -- or have NBA take a hiatus for a period time. NBA is expected to have a decision as soon as Thursday on next steps.
The greater consensus among the teams is continuing to play games without fans in arenas, and the league is expected to move toward a resolution on Thursday, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Op82C0aR6E
The Athletic's Sam Amick reports that NBA has asked teams to "provide its arena schedule through July," which he says is the clearest indication that the NBA was considering postponing the season altogether.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, closed all-indoor athletic events in the state to fans. Only players, coaches, parents, and employees are allowed to attend these events, which means the Cavs will begin playing games without fans in attendance.
NCAA
On Wednesday, the NCAA announced that both men's and women's tournaments will be held without fans.
The Mid-American and Big West conferences have also limited the number of fans they will allow at their tournaments.
The Ivy League took more drastic measures, canceling their conference tournament altogether. The conference will instead be sending the regular-season champions to the NCAA tournament. The conference also canceled all spring sporting events.
MLB
On Wednesday, the Governor of Washington banned large gatherings of people throughout the month of March, which forced the Seattle Mariners to move their upcoming games to other stadiums outside of Seattle.
On Thursday, multiple reports suggested that the MLB is shutting down spring training, and delaying the start of the regular season.
MLS
After closing its locker rooms to non-essential personnel, MLS insiders revealed that the league is still toying with the idea of postponing games rather than canceling any contests outright. However, it has since been confirmed the season has been suspended immediately and will not go ahead until further notice.
Before the announcement of the suspension, the San Jose Earthquakes released a statement on Tuesday, announcing that the franchise plans to comply with the Santa Clara Public Health Department's legal order barring all gatherings of 1,000 people or more.
The Seattle Sounders are postponing games due to the state's regulations regarding the coronavirus.
WNBA
While the WNBA is currently not in season, commissioner Cathy Engelbert released a statement to confirm the league is monitoring the situation closing. "The health and safety of players and employees—with our teams and at the league level—is of the utomost importance," said Engelbert. "With regard to COVID-19, we are in touch with the teams, consulting with infectious disease specialists and monitoring guidance from the CDC and WHO. The WNBA is currently not in season, but together with the WNBPA and teams, we have been in close communication and will continue to connect with and offer resources to players in the U.S. and those playing overseas."
Further details regarding the status of the 2020 WNBA Draft on April 17, the start of training camp on April 26, and the start of the season May 15 "will be shared later this month."
PGA
The Masters has been postponed due to growing concerns about the coronavirus.
"Ultimately, the health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision," Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, wrote in a statement Friday morning. "We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date."
The 2020 Players Championship has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the PGA Tour announced on Thursday evening.
"It is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of The Players Championship. We have also decided to cancel all PGA Tour events – across all of our Tours – in the coming weeks, through the Valero Texas Open," the organization said in a statement.
NHL
League commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement on Saturday, addressing coronavirus concerns.
You know what, I don't want to create any speculation or hysteria. There are obviously a variety of consequences that we may have to focus on, and we'll do that at the appropriate time. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here, OK? We're staying on top of it and we're in constant communication with our clubs and the [NHL] Players' Association, and we're going to deal with this in as thorough, professional, on-top-of-it manner as possible. But let's everybody take a deep breath.
On Thursday, the league officially announced that it's suspending the season.
XFL
The XFL is the latest professional sports league to suspend its season over growing concerns about the coronavirus. The league announced that it will refund fans, however. It will also pay all XFL players their base pay and benefits.
WrestleMania Update:
https://t.co/DLbgSVYWZM
"In coordination with local partners and government officials, WrestleMania and all related events in Tampa Bay will not take place," the WWE said in a statement. "However, WrestleMania will still stream live on Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and be available on pay-per-view. Only essential personnel will be on the closed set at WWE’s training facility in Orlando, Florida to produce WrestleMania."
Shortly after the news was announced, CM Punk took to Twitter to say this:
Well that’s one way to make sure Roman finally gets not booed and nobody chants for meeeeeeee.
UFC
The UFC has decided to postpone three events. President Dana White said that UFC Fight Night events scheduled for March 21, March 28, and April 11 were postponed after the White House advised that gatherings of more than 10 people should be avoided. The April 18 fight between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov is still set to proceed.
“We have no choice now but to postpone these fights. So we’re postponing the next three events, but Tony Ferguson versus Khabib, April 18, is still on and that will still happen.”@danawhite joined @SportsCenter to address the postponement of upcoming UFC events. pic.twitter.com/FxKOAKnOEv
Foreign Sports/Soccer Leagues
Italy has been hit hard by the coronavirus, and in addition to locking down the entire country, has also halted all sporting events, including the country's beloved Serie A soccer league.
Germany, Spain, and France's soccer leagues are continuing competition but in empty stadiums.
The Chinese Basketball Association has postponed the season.
The Six Nations 2020 Rugby event has been postponed.
The Indian Wells tennis tournament was canceled.
On Thursday, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus.
