By Agence France-Presse

America’s level of success at overcoming coronavirus (COVID-19) and how fast that happens are likely the key factors in deciding when and how the NBA and other sports leagues return.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver imposed an indefinite hiatus on the league season on Wednesday after Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus, with every other major North American sports organization following quickly.

“We intend to resume the season if and when it becomes safe for all concerned,” Silver said, who predicted the shut down would last “at least 30 days.”

“In the meantime, we will continue to coordinate with infectious disease and public health experts along with government officials to determine safe protocols for resuming our games.”

The hiatus will last to at least April 10, eight days before the scheduled start of the NBA playoffs, but Silver and team owners could extend it, delaying resumption of the campaign into June or later.

“Even if we’re out for a month, even if we’re out for six weeks, we can still restart the season,” Silver said. “It might mean that the finals take place in July or late July.”

Other leagues might continue to take their lead from the NBA, the first league with a player testing positive.

“We also recognize that because of how high-profile our players are, others in the public will take their lead from us,” Silver said.

Silver also admitted it’s possible the season will remain unfinished.

“Of course it’s possible,” Silver said. “I just don’t know more at this point.”

That option would cost the NBA hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcast income from missed playoff games, cutting salary revenue for the 2020-21 season.

“I think every player wants to finish the season,” Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley told Arizona’s KMVP radio.

“What I do know… it’s on the table that the owners want to finish the regular season and (playoffs)… I got confirmation that they have no problem going late into the summer to finish it up.”

The Chinese Basketball Association shut down in late January, but ESPN reported American players in the CBA have been told to return for games to resume in early April.

That timeline of about nine weeks, if duplicated in the NBA’s situation, would see a mid-May resumption, about a month after the originally planned start of the NBA playoffs.

NBA talent at Tokyo?

That could push the NBA Finals into July and up against the Tokyo Olympics, where a US squad of NBA stars is set to compete July 24-August 9 for a fourth consecutive gold medal.

A 12-man US roster of NBA talent is usually named just ahead of training camp in early July in Las Vegas.

If the Olympics take place as planned and the NBA playoffs are extended, it might prevent top players from going to Tokyo if their teams make deep post-season runs.

It might keep LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard from Japan but Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Bradley Beal and Kevin Love are US team finalists whose clubs aren’t in playoff spots.

Green told the Athletic he doesn’t expect a return anytime soon.

“If they start the season back up and then somebody else catches it, then what?” Green said. “You can’t just quarantine a few guys for some days and then start it all back up. That… ain’t going to work.”

How to resume?

As for resumption ideas, the NBA could play an abbreviated finish to the regular season then the playoffs, finish the last month of the campaign before the playoffs or return directly to the playoffs based on the results from before the shutdown, even with an uneven number of games.

The length of each playoff round could be trimmed from a best-of-seven series and possibly the start of the 2020-21 campaign could be delayed to allow for a normal-length off-season.

Pushing back the playoffs could delay the NBA Draft, set for late June, as well as free agency and the start of the next season — an idea some like.

Atlanta Hawks chief executive Steve Koonin told ESPN before the shutdown his idea of starting the NBA season at Christmas with August finals to avoid the TV ratings juggernaut NFL.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles wants more than good wishes from USA Gymnastics.

The US federation wished Biles a happy 23rd birthday on social media on Saturday.

Biles — who also owns 19 world titles and is expected to be among the stars of the Tokyo Olympics — used their tweet as a chance to demand an independent investigation into the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal.

how about you amaze me and do the right thing… have an independent investigation https://t.co/58Gc9QUk76

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) March 14, 2020

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“how about you amaze me and do the right thing … have an independent investigation,” Biles snapped on Twitter after the federation’s birthday tweet.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most decorated gymnast of all time, @simonebiles!” USA Gymnastics wrote, posting a video of Biles in action in a floor exercise. “We know you will only continue to amaze us and make history!”

Former national gymnastics team doctor Nassar was jailed for life for abusing more than 250 athletes, including stars of the United States’ 2012 and 2016 gold medal-winning Olympic teams.

A US Senate investigation found that “multiple institutions” failed to adequately respond to credible allegations against Nassar, but Biles has said that USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee still owe his victims, including herself, more answers and a framework to ensure such abuses won’t occur again.

“Wish they BOTH wanted an independent investigation as much as the survivors & I do,” she tweeted earlier this month.

As Biles and other elite gymnasts ramp up their preparations for Tokyo, USA Gymnastics in January offered a $215 million (194 million euros) settlement to victims of Nassar to settle legal claims — a plan a lawyer for more than 200 women called “unconscionable.”

Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, who is now retired, called the settlement offer “offensive” and accused the federation of attempting to prevent release of details which would show how Nassar was able to abuse athletes for years.

Attorney John Manley, who represents more than 180 clients with active claims against USA Gymnastics, said the settlement offer releases too many people from further claims, including the USOPC, former USA Gymnastics chief Steve Penny and former national team directors Bela and Marta Karolyi.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday resisted pressure for changes to the Tokyo Olympics schedule even as sporting events worldwide fall victim to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Abe pledged Japan would host the Games as planned in July and said he had no immediate intention to declare a state of emergency over the virus outbreak, which has now seen more than 140,000 people infected across the globe and over 5,400 killed.

His comments come two days after US President Donald Trump suggested the Japanese capital postpone the Games for a year as the spread of the virus wreaks havoc on the sporting calendar.

“We will respond by closely coordinating with officials concerned, including the IOC (International Olympic Committee). There is no change in this,” Abe told a news conference.

“We want to hold the Olympics as planned without any trouble by overcoming the spread of infections,” he said.

Organizers, Japanese government officials and the IOC have insisted preparations are on track and there will be no postponement or cancellation.

England’s football Premier League, America’s NBA basketball season and the Augusta Masters golf major are just some of the competitions suspended because of the pandemic.

On Friday, Abe and Trump spoke on the phone about the outbreak and Olympics after Trump proposed a delay.

“We agreed that Japan and the US will cooperate and closely coordinate for success in the Olympics,” Abe said, adding they had not discussed any postponement.

The Japanese parliament on Friday approved legislation that gives Abe the power to declare a state of emergency to combat COVID-19 but Abe insisted such a declaration was not yet necessary.

The coronavirus has infected more than 700 people across Japan and been linked to 21 deaths. Separately, 700 people on board a cruise ship that docked near Tokyo last month were also infected.

A state of emergency would allow local governments to require that people stay indoors, schools close and public facilities limit use.

Land and buildings could be requisitioned for makeshift hospitals.

IOC chief Thomas Bach told German television broadcaster ARD on Thursday that the body would follow recommendations by the World Health Organization but that work continued for a successful Games.

He acknowledged however that cancellations of Olympic qualifiers are starting to pose “serious problems.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

David Beckham’s six-year wait to watch his Major League Soccer club make its home debut, which was to have ended Saturday, has been extended by the league’s coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown.

But that didn’t stop him and his family from visiting Inter Miami’s empty stadium on Saturday.

Beckham’s club was to have hosted the Los Angeles Galaxy, the MLS club where the former England and Manchester United star played from 2007 through 2012, in its first match at its temporary home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Instead, the entire league has joined all major North American sports leagues and shut down its season for 30 days due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

That left Inter Miami owner and president Beckham and his wife, Victoria, to take their four children to the empty venue and post a video on Instagram.

“Special day showing the family what we’ve built,” Beckham posted as the camera made a 360-degree tour of empty Inter Miami Stadium while music of Spice Girls — his wife’s former group — blared through the loudspeakers.

View this post on Instagram

Special day showing the family what we have built @intermiamicf @victoriabeckham @brooklynbeckham @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #HarperSeven ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ ⚽️

A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on Mar 14, 2020 at 12:21pm PDT

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Beckham also posted messages Friday on Instagram with photos taken from the field in the empty 20,000-seat stadium.

“It’s times like these when we are reminded of the things that are truly important in life,” Beckham posted on Instagram. “Our health. Our loved ones and looking after those that need support in our communities.

“In these moments, sports take a back seat. We must all listen to expert advice and do the right thing. Stay safe and look out for yourselves and your families.”

View this post on Instagram

It’s times like these when we are reminded of the things that are truly important in life. Our health, our loved ones and looking after those that need support in our communities. In these moments, sport takes a back seat. We must all listen to expert advice and do the right thing. Stay safe and look out for yourselves and your families x #LaFamilia

A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on Mar 13, 2020 at 7:29am PDT

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Inter Miami still seeks a first-ever MLS triumph, having lost 1-0 at Los Angeles FC on March 1 and 2-1 at DC United six days later.

Those matches culminated a wild six-year effort filled with setbacks and frustrations.

Beckham, 44, came to the United States in 2007, the global icon leaving Real Madrid for a deal with the Galaxy that included the option to buy an MLS expansion club at a discounted price.

Over six seasons with the Galaxy, Beckham helped raise the sport’s US profile and was a major contributor to the club’s 2011 and 2012 MLS Cup titles.

After retiring in 2013, Beckham decided to exercise his option for an MLS expansion team in 2014 and sought to build a soccer-specific stadium in Miami.

Struggles with city leaders and civic groups followed, location after location foiled by one problem after another, and MLS hesitated to award a franchise to a group without a stadium plan set in place.

Beckham joined with Miami-based construction magnates Jorge and Jose Mas in 2017 and that represented a turning point in his quest.

In 2018, city officials approved construction of the Miami Freedom Park complex near Miami International Airport, its centerpiece being a new 25,000-seat stadium that is expected to be ready for Inter Miami to move into in 2022.

“Everything we’ve tried to do to get this franchise up and running was a challenge,” Beckham said last month.

“There wasn’t one (easy) thing — from finding the land, thinking what kind of stadium we want, what kind of players we want, what kind of manager we want, even down to what tiles we had in the showers — everything was a challenge.

“But I wasn’t going to give up.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Houston Astros stars George Springer and Alex Bregman joined the ranks of US sports figures stepping up to help out stadium workers and others impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Astros outfielder Springer, the 2017 World Series MVP, is donating $100,000 to Minute Maid Park workers who stand to lose wages after Major League Baseball pushed back the start of Opening Day, scheduled for March 26, “at least two weeks.”

“These are the people that help take care of my family when I go to work,” Springer said through his agency, Excel Sports Management. “Now I want to help take care of them when they’re in a time of need.”

Bregman donated 1,000 quarantine food kits which the Houston Food Bank said would make sure students who normally receive free lunches at school will get 28 meals per kit while their schools are closed.

The Astros players swell the ranks of athletes and teams who have pledged to provide financial assistance to hourly wage workers who will be hard-hit by the disruption to the sporting schedule.

The Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers and Kings, along with Staples Center, have established a fund to provide financial assistance to all hourly employees at the arena impacted by the pandemic.

The Los Angeles Times reported the assistance package is expected to be worth more than $5 million, although an exact number is fluid because the number of games and events that will be canceled is unknown.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert, who apologized for his careless actions before he was diagnosed with novel coronavirus, has pledged to donate more than half a million dollars to health services and arena workers affected by the pandemic.

More than half the money will go towards COVID-19 related social service programs in Utah, Oklahoma City and the French health care system, the NBA’s Jazz said in a statement on Saturday.

“These donations are a small token that reflect my appreciation and support for all those impacted and are the first of many steps I will take to try and make a positive difference, while continuing to learn more about COVID-19 and educate others,” Gobert said in prepared remarks released by the Jazz.

Gobert will donate $200,000 in aid to part-time employees at the Jazz’s arena who are unable to work as the NBA is shut down in a bid to combat the spread of the virus.

Another $200,000 will assist families affected by the outbreak in Utah and Oklahoma City. He also promised 100,000 euros ($111,400) for health care in his native France.

Gobert, who is from Saint-Quentin, tried to make fun of the NBA’s policy to keep media members at a safe distance from players in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, touching all the microphones put before him on a table at a press conference last week.

It was just days later, on Wednesday, that his diagnosis with COVID-19 prompted the NBA to suspend its season indefinitely.

Gobert was reportedly similarly nonchalant about coronavirus risks in the locker room, touching other players and their belongings.

Gobert issued a public apology after Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell confirmed Thursday that he tested positive for coronavirus.

“I was careless and make no excuse,” he said. “I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously.”

The NBA said Friday that the 27-year-old defensive standout, fondly nicknamed “The Stifle Tower,” would not be fined or suspended for his microphone-touching stunt.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Reuters

Detroit Pistons forward Christian Wood tested positive for coronavirus, multiple outlets reported Saturday night.

Wood becomes the third known NBA player to test positive for the virus. Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell are the others.

In fact, Wood went up against Gobert on March 7 in Detroit, and the two got mixed up in an incident that resulted in double technical fouls.

Wood had 30 points and 11 rebounds in that game, while Gobert had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Videos from the game show many times where their bodies come together or their sweaty faces are in close proximity.

The 24-year-old Wood was in the midst of a breakout season prior to play being suspended Wednesday night after Gobert’s positive test. Mitchell’s test came back positive on Thursday.

Wood averaged 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 62 games. The UNLV product had a career-best 32 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, official Courtney Kirkland’s coronavirus test came back negative, ESPN reported on Saturday.

Kirkland was one of the officials assigned to Wednesday’s game between the New Orleans Pelicans and host Sacramento Kings that was postponed.

Kirkland had worked the Jazz’s game on Monday in Salt Lake City against the Toronto Raptors. After news of Gobert’s positive test broke, players on the Pelicans and Kings became aware that Kirkland had officiated the game involving Gobert and expressed their reluctance to play the game to NBA officials.

The game was canceled a short time later.

According to ESPN, Kirkland is now cleared to leave Sacramento and can resume all activities without restriction.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

ONE Championship events slated until May 29 will push through behind closed doors and as audience-free show amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement Wednesday, the promotion said “all scheduled events with live audiences for ONE Championship will be suspended until at least May 29, 2020 due to the extraordinary COVID-19 global situation.”

May 29 was the initial schedule of the “Infinity 2” in Manila with Filipino-American Brandon Vera, current World Heavyweight Champion, headlining the main event against former Olympic wrestler Arjan Bhullar.

Organizers, however, clarified Saturday the May 29 bout at the Mall of Asia, now “Infinity 1,” had been given a go-signal with new fights lined up that are yet to be announced.

The Manila fight is also “subject to change if the coronavirus situation deteriorates” and the promotion has yet to decide if the matches are to be held behind closed-doors.

“Bar none, the safety of our fans, athletes, staff, partners, and the public is the highest priority for ONE Championship,” ONE CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong said.

Closed-door events initially scheduled on April 17, April 24, May 1 and May 8 will kick off in Singapore with global broadcast coverage through respective media partners.

“We are operating in truly extraordinary times, but my team and I remain committed to providing the best sports and entertainment action available anywhere on global broadcast today.

“For the millions of fans at home around the world, the show will go on from the comfort and safety of your living room. ONE Championship will continue to thrill you with the greatest martial artists on the planet and inspire you with their incredible stories,” Sityodtong added.

The Department of Health (DOH) tallied a total number of 98 COVID-19 cases, with eight fatalities, in the Philippines as of this writing. (Jan Carlo Anolin) ###

(NOTE: This is an updated version of the article initially titled “ONE Championship: ‘Infinity 2’ event in Manila to be held behind closed doors.” The May 29 Manila bout will still push through under the event name “Infinity 1” as part of ONE Championship’s “Infinity Series.” As per organizers, the promotion has yet to decide if the event will be held behind closed-doors.)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The UAAP on Saturday issued a memorandum cancelling all its ongoing or pending high school events and adjusting on their collegiate calendar for Season 82 with regards to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement, the league decided to terminate all high school tournaments including girls basketball where University of Santo Tomas and Adamson are declared as co-champions.

JUST IN: UAAP issues memorandum regarding #UAAPSeason82 amid #COVID19 pandemic. | via @kristelsports pic.twitter.com/dTznxBVmfL

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) March 14, 2020

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The two schools were supposed to play the deciding Game 3 of their best-of-three championship affair.

The league has also cancelled the regular format in their collegiate events while looking at alternative formats when they resume competition no earlier than May 1 “if the government declares that it is safe to resume classes on April 15 and does not prohibit mass gatherings.”

“We will continue to coordinate with league government agencies to determine protocols for the safety of everyone in or connected with the UAAP community,” said the statement signed by Season 82 President Emmanuel Fernandez and Executive Director Rene Saguisag.

“The UAAP intends to do the greater good for the greater number, without disregarding the hard work of its coaches and student athletes.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Filipino boxing champion John Riel Casimero is not letting the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic mess up his preparations.

Holed out in Miami since early-February, Casimero remains on training mode for his April 25 unification bantamweight showdown with Naoya Inoue of Japan at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Under the watchful eyes of strength coach Memo Heredia and his solid cast of Filipino trainers, Casimero continues to show up on the tracks for conditioning and in the gym for sparring.

Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., which is promoting the Casimero-Inoue clash for three world titles—Casimero’s World Boxing Organization and Inoue’s World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation jewels—has yet to issue a statement whether the fight will proceed or not.

Until there is no announcement, Casimero will wake up and show up for workouts, according to the champion’s chief representative Sean Gibbons.

If Top Rank doesn’t come out with anything, Casimero will fly to Las Vegas on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) for the next stage of his buildup.

WATCH:

Source: Manila Bulletin