Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena is expected to be named one of the NHL’s host hubs for its 2020 season … [+]
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When it comes to the coronavirus pandemic, the United States is one of the most dangerous places on earth.
The United States reported nearly 50,000 new positive COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, breaking a one-day record for the country. Texas hit a new high on Wednesday and Florida had a positive test rate of over 15% on Tuesday, more than double the national average. Although the mortality rate is still lower than in previous weeks, the current state of this country in terms of viruses is pausing at least one league.
After FC Dallas’ MLS club had nine positive players in the past two days, arriving at the Orlando championship bubble at Walt Disney World, the Los Angeles Times Reported late Wednesday evening that the MLS Is Back tournament may now be in doubt, especially if an entire team like Dallas has to quarantine for two weeks. According to the story, at least three teams have rejected flights to Orlando less than a week before the tournament starts on July 8.
All these developments make the NHL’s expected plan to restart the seemingly ingenious 2019-2020 season. It seems so simple: just play outside the United States. Reports from TSN, ESPN and The Athletic on Wednesday, Canada Day in the north, suggest that hockey will stage its 24-team post-season in two Canadian hub cities, Toronto for the Eastern Conference and Edmonton for the Western Conference.
Rogers Place in Edmonton is slated to host the NHL Western Conference playoffs. Photo by Codie … [+]
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Ontario, in the province of Toronto, saw just over 35,000 total cases (1 out of 383 people) and 2,672 total deaths (1 out of 5,033 people) from coronavirus. Alberta, in the province of Edmonton, had 8,108 cases (1 in 502 people) and 154 deaths (1 in 26,410 people).
Las Vegas “was considered a shoo-in” to host the 12 western teams on Monday, according to The Athletic, but a sudden spike in coronavirus cases in the area eliminated them from contention, along with reports that hotel employees and of the nearby casinos were positive test. Clark County, Nevada, where Vegas is located, saw its seven-day average of new positive cases nearly triple according to a New York Times
The NBA must hope that its 22 teams that will arrive in Orlando next week for its restart on July 30 will not suffer the same fate as FC Dallas. Orange County, Florida, where Orlando is located, saw its average seven-day increase from 175 positive cases two weeks ago to 688 on Wednesday, according to the Times. The Brooklyn Nets saw two of its players, DeAndre Jordan and Spencer Dinwiddie, perform well in their home market this week even before traveling to Florida.
Major League Baseball started its summer camp this week to prepare for a regular 60-game season in national markets. To reduce travel, the teams will only play within their geographical divisions, respectively of the American and National League, East, Center and West. This may not be enough in what will be a dangerous balance.
In addition to a dizzying number of cases in Florida, home of the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins, Arizona, home of the Diamondbacks, they are reporting more new cases of coronavirus per day than the entire European Union despite the EU having more than 60 times the population of the state.
Texas, which is home to Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, is also experiencing alarming rates, while California, which is home to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics, has imposed new restrictions on 19 different counties trying to stem the surge in cases.
Then there is the NFL, which reportedly will reduce the number of pre-season games from four to two or less. But it seems that professional football is currently in full swing in an attempt to stage a 2020 season as in its national markets. It is even, according to an Athletic report, to consider getting fans into the games but asking them to sign a disclaimer that protects its 32 teams from coronavirus-related lawsuits.
The longer the United States lasts longer while the coronavirus remains a huge problem, the more insane sports leagues can end up trying to stage the seasons in America. By delaying its decision and, most likely, holding onto the rest of its season in Canada, the NHL positioned itself as the leading North American sports league with the greatest chance of a successful restart in 2020.
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