Coronavirus Pandemic Causes Cancellations, Postponements, Suspended Play Across Sports
Mar 12, 2020, 11:05 AM | Updated: Apr 11, 2020, 5:20 pm
A general view of the NBA logo on the basketball hoop during their season opener at Moda Center on October 23, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The coronavirus pandemic and players’ infection of COVID-19 caused cancellations, postponements, and suspension of play across multiple leagues and sports.
Leagues including the NBA, NCAA, MLS, and others had games impacted by coronavirus concerns from early March 2020.
These are some of the major sporting events affected by coronavirus:
NBA
- No Fans, No Fun: Athletes Uneasy Over Empty-Arena Solutions
- Warriors close home games to fans
- Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder postponed
- New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings game postponed
- NBA suspends 2019-20 season
- NBA G-League season suspended
- Report: Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tests positive for COVID-19
- Report: Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell tests positive for COVID-19
- Mitchell Thanks People For Reaching Out To Him After He Tested Positive For COVID-19
- Gobert Apologizes For Being ‘Careless’ About Coronavirus Prior To Testing Positive
- LHM CEO Steve Starks Addresses Utah Jazz Coronavirus Exposure
- Report: Official From Jazz/Raptors Game Receives Coronavirus Test Results
- Jazz Arrive In SLC Following Postponed Game In OKC, Players Infected By Coronavirus
- Jazz Guard Emmanuel Mudiay Says His Coronavirus Test Came Back Negative For COVID-19
- NBA Informs Utah Jazz, Teams Of Coronavirus Guidelines
- Utah Jazz Working With Department Of Health, Players Quarantined
- Vernon Maxwell Sends Best Wishes To Utah Jazz C Rudy Gobert
- Utah Jazz To Honor Tickets, Issue Refunds During Coronavirus Hiatus
- Donovan Mitchell Provides Update, Says He Feels Fine, ‘Can’t Wait To Get Back Out There On The Floor’
- Rudy Gobert Donating To Part-Time Employees Amid Coronavirus Hiatus
- Lakers SG Danny Green Says He Doesn’t Think Rudy Gobert ‘Should Be Blamed As Much As He Is’
- Report: Players Will Continue To Get Paid During Coronavirus Hiatus
- Rudy Gobert Says He’s ‘Feeling A Little Better’ Every Day, Wishes He Would’ve ‘Taken This Thing More Seriously’
- Deseret News’ Sarah Todd Recounts Coronavirus Scare In Oklahoma City
- NBA Exploring June Return, G-League Season Likely Over
- Donovan Mitchell Donates To Support School Meals During Closures
- Donovan Mitchell Says ‘It Took A While’ To ‘Cool Off’ Towards Rudy Gobert Following Coronavirus Test
- Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets Players Test Positive For Coronavirus
- Timeline Of Coronavirus, Wildest Two Weeks In NBA, Utah Jazz History
- Adam Silver Defends Utah Jazz Against NYC Mayor Over Coronavirus Testing
- Quin Snyder Issues Statement To Utah Jazz Fans About Coronavirus Outbreak
- NBA Players Free To Travel While Practice Facilities Close
- Utah Jazz C Rudy Gobert Lists Additional Symptoms From Coronavirus
- Utah Jazz Broadcaster Craig Bolerjack Tells Thurl Bailey Coronavirus Will “Change Everything”
- NBA Set To Reduce Salaries Of League’s Top Executives
- Dr. Fauci Explains When Sports Could Return In Coronavirus Q&A With Stephen Curry
- Utah Department Of Health Clears Jazz Players Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell Of Coronavirus
- Donovan Mitchell Says He’s ‘Praying For’ NBA Broadcaster Who Tested Positive For COVID-19
- Utah Jazz Guard Jordan Clarkson Shares Message Of Encouragement During Coronavirus Pandemic
- Utah Jazz Guard Donovan Mitchell Discusses Coronavirus Recovery On Fellow NBA Player’s Podcast
- NBA And Players Association Discussing Loss Of Pay Scenarios
- Jazz’s Ingles and Mitchell On What Return To NBA Must Look Like
- Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell Appear In New #TestUtahChallenge PSA for Coronavirus
- Donovan Mitchell And Georges Niang Podcast About Coronavirus, Drums, And A New Shoe Model
- Utah Jazz Laying Off Staff Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
- NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Won’t Have Real Answer About Resuming Season Until May 1
- Mark Cuban Has ‘More Than A Sliver Of Hope’ NBA Will Return This Season
- Vivint Arena To ‘Light It Blue’ In Support Of Healthcare Workers
- Report: Gobert, Mitchell Relationship ‘Doesn’t Appear Salvageable’
- University, High School Stadiums Turning Lights On For Community Support During Pandemic
- Utah Jazz Unveil ‘Youth At Home’ Program For Students’ Remote Learning
- President Donald Trump Speaks With 12 Major US Sports Commissioners About Coronavirus
NCAA
- Officials Evaluating Use Of Fewer Arenas For NCAA Tourney Due To Coronavirus
- Individual With COVID-19 Attended BYU Basketball Game, Officials Say
- Ohio Governor: NCAA Tourney Games In State Will Be Played Without Spectators Due To Coronavirus
- NCAA President announces NCAA Tournament will be played without fans in attendance
- Utah State HC: Team Is ‘Somewhat Disappointed’ That NCAA Tourney Will Be Closed To Fans
- Pac-12 Conference: Limited Attendance At Tournament Due To Coronavirus Concerns
- Nebraska head basketball head coach Fred Hoiberg taken to hospital midgame and diagnosed with Influenza A
- Power 5 Conference Tournaments canceled
- Mid-major Conferences cancel basketball tournaments
- Ivy Leagues cancels all spring sporting events
- Pac-12 cancels all sporting events
- Mountain West Conference Suspends Athletics Citing Coronavirus Concern
- NCAA Tournament canceled
- AP: NCAA Tried To Save March Madness With 16 Teams
- All BYU Athletic Events On Campus Suspended Immediately
- Emotions High For BYU Basketball In Aftermath Of NCAA Tournament Cancelation
- Sam Merrill Recounts ‘Emotional Meeting’ Where USU Discussed NCAA Tourney Cancellation
- Utah Cancels All Athletic Events In Accordance With Pac-12 Decision
- Big Sky Conference (includes Weber State University) suspends athletics
- BYU Pro Day, Spring Football Practices Suspended Indefinitely
- NCAA Announces They Won’t Release Brackets This Season After Tournaments Canceled
- Financial Impact Of NCAA Tournament Cancelation On BYU, Utah State
- Craig Smith: USU’s Closure Was Talking On The Court After NCAA Tournament Was Canceled
- Utah Football suspends spring practices
- NCAA Will Issue Eligibility Relief To Spring Athletes
- BYU AD Tom Holmoe Gives Cougar Fans ‘Message Of Hope’ During Coronavirus Outbreak
- USU AD John Hartwell: Aggies Doing Everything To Support Student-Athlete Mental Health
- Mark Harlan Addresses Utah Fans With Updates On Utah Athletic Department, Student-Athletes
- Utah HC Kyle Whittingham Urges Everyone To Follow Guidelines From Health Experts
- Utah HC Larry Krystkowiak Recommends Yard Work, Cleaning Garage During Down Time
- Jimmer Fredette Gives Movie Recommendation While You Stay At Home
- Utah DT Leki Fotu Taking Advantage Of Down Time To Prepare For NFL Draft
- ESPN Reporter, Utah Alum Holly Rowe Offers Help To Healthcare Professionals
- Utah Athletics To Honor Season-Shortened Seniors
- Pac-12 Extends Suspension Of All Organized Team Activities Through May 31
- Former BYU HC Bronco Mendenhall Says He Is Preparing For Modified College Football Season
- Gary Andersen: If Teams Can’t Practice By June 1, Only Conf. Games Should Be Played
- FBS ADs Believe There Is A 50 Percent Chance College Football Doesn’t Play Full Season
- NCAA Recruiting ‘Dead Period’ Extended Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
- Utah Quarterback Jake Bentley Working On ‘Little Things’ During Quarantine
- Kalani Sitake Focused On Well-Being Of Mankind During Coronavirus Pandemic
- Kyle Whittingham Shows Support To Local Initiative During Coronavirus Crisis
- Three Local College Football Stars Participating Virtually In 2020 NFL Draft
- BYU Football Players Are Finding Ways To Pass Time During Coronavirus Pandemic
- BYU’s Mark Pope Gives Important Reminders During Coronavirus Pandemic
- Kalani Sitake Belts Out In Song To Help Crush The Coronavirus Curve
- University, High School Stadiums Turning Lights On For Community Support During Pandemic
- BYU ‘Lighting The Y’ In Support Of Global Fast
MLS/NWSL/Soccer
- No Fans, No Fun: Athletes Uneasy Over Empty-Arena Solutions
- Dallas FC vs. Seattle Sounders match postponed
- U.S. Soccer cancels upcoming matches for USWNT and USMNT
- MLS suspends 2020 season for 30 days
- CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Will Not Take Place As Scheduled, According To Reports
- Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Tests Positive For COVID-19
- English Premier League Suspends Season
- RSL Foundation Makes Generous Donation Of Food, Money To Utah Food Bank
- Real Salt Lake Players Share Positive Video Reminding Fans How To Stay Safe
- MLS Extends Training Moratorium Through April 3
- RSL Foundation To Open Domestic Violence Shelter After Coronavirus Leads To Increased Urgency
- Major League Soccer, MLSPA Reveal ‘MLS Unites’ Platform
- Freddy Juarez Shares Insight Into How Real Salt Lake Is Dealing With Being Quarantined
- Utah Royals FC, Real Salt Lake Join Forces To Create “Feeding Our Frontline” Initiative
- MLS To Cut Full-Time Employees’ Salaries Up To 25 Percent
- Real Salt Lake Announces Cutbacks, Layoffs, Furloughs Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic
- President Donald Trump Speaks With 12 Major US Sports Commissioners About Coronavirus
MLB/MiLB
- No Fans, No Fun: Athletes Uneasy Over Empty-Arena Solutions
- Oakland Athletics vs. San Francisco Giants preseason game postponed
- MLB Suspends Spring Training, Pushes Opening Day Back Two Weeks
- Salt Lake Bees, MiLB 2020 Season Will Be Delayed Due To Coronavirus Outbreak
- Major League Baseball Delays Start Of Season For At Least Two Months
- Former Salt Lake Bees Star Mike Trout Narrates Touching Video On What Would Be MLB Opening Day
- Bryce Harper, Steven Matz Latest MLB Players To Contribute To Virus Relief
- President Donald Trump Speaks With 12 Major US Sports Commissioners About Coronavirus
- AP Sources: MLB, Union Discuss Playing All Games In Arizona
NHL
- No Fans, No Fun: Athletes Uneasy Over Empty-Arena Solutions
- NHL “Pauses” Season In Wake Of Coronavirus Concern
- Hockey Players In The Minors Face Uncertainty, Job Fears
- President Donald Trump Speaks With 12 Major US Sports Commissioners About Coronavirus
- Commissioner Raises Chance Of NHL Not Completing Regular Season
NFL
- NFL Prohibiting All In-Person Pre-Draft Visits Until Further Notice
- Public NFL Draft Events In Las Vegas Canceled
- New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton Tests Positive For COVID-19
- Packers RB Jamaal Williams Gives Uplifting Message During ‘Craziness’ In World
- Daniel Sorensen Wears BYU Shirt In Video Encouraging Chiefs Fans To Stay Home, Stay Strong
- Former Utah State LB Kyler Fackrell, Wife Liz Provide Free Meals To Cache Valley Children
- NFL Keeping Its Draft In April As Scheduled
- New England Patriots’ Plane Delivering Over A Million N95 Masks From China To United States
- Reports: Jordan Love Virtually Met With Six NFL Teams
- Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid: ‘Our Heart Goes Out To Everyone’ Suffering From Coronavirus
- Provo City Demonstrates Social Distancing With NFL’s Kaufusi Brothers
- President Donald Trump Speaks With 12 Major US Sports Commissioners About Coronavirus
- Reports: Utah DT Leki Fotu Virtually Visits With 17 NFL Teams Leading Up To Draft
- Three Local College Football Stars Participating Virtually In 2020 NFL Draft
XFL
- Los Angeles Wildcats vs. Seattle Dragons game to be played without fans in attendance
- XFL season suspended
- XFL Cancels Remainder Of Inaugural 2020 Season Due To Coronavirus Pandemic
- Reports: XFL Suspends League Operations, Employees Terminated
Other
- No Fans, No Fun: Athletes Uneasy Over Empty-Arena Solutions
- U.S. Ski & Snowboard cancels all remaining domestic events
- Utah Grizzlies season suspended
- The Masters golf tournament postponed
- NASCAR and Indy Car racing postpone races
- Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation closes venues to the public
- President Donald Trump Speaks With 12 Major US Sports Commissioners About Coronavirus
This story will be updated.
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Coronavirus Resources
- Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing [email protected].
- What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
- What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
- Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
- The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
- Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?
How Do I Prevent It?
The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
How To Get Help
If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.
Additional Resources
If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at [email protected].
