Another result of the Coronavirus scare

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While a number of sports personalities have tested positive for COVID19, the virus has now affected two bigger names in sports.

Knicks/New York Rangers owner James Dolan has apparently tested positive for COVID 19, as has Jacksonville Jaguars legend Tony Boselli. In Boselli's case, the virus caused him to be hospitalized and placed in ICU.

Dave Miedema

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In the nation where the pandemic began, the Chinese Basketball Association, in which about 40 Americans play, has delayed their planned resumption of their season, pushing it back from early April to sometime in May.

Dave Miedema

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Also recently announced is the postponement of the Indianapolis 500. The new date for the race is now August 23.

Dave Miedema

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It was reported a few hours ago that if MLB is active again at the time, the 3-game series in London between the Cubs and Cardinals has been cancelled in terms of being played in the great British city.

Dave Miedema

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The world was put on notice that the Summer 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo have been postponed until as yet unspecified dates in 2021.

Dave Miedema

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The latest sports event to be cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic is the 2020 World Hockey Championship. This was announced by the International Ice Hockey Foundation, and applies to the event scheduled for May 8-24.

Dave Miedema

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It looks like offseason activities in the NFL are also being affected. While free agency is still a go, the draft, scheduled for late April, may be postponed, as the Las Vegas casinos owned by MGM and Caesar's are shutting down, with neither planning to re-open until May 1.

Dave Miedema

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The ECHL has announced the cancellation of the remainder of their regular season plus their playoffs. The AHL has not made an official announcement as of yet, but is considering doing likewise.

Meanwhile, the UFC circuit has announced that only a full government shutdown will cause them to postpone or cancel UFC bouts.

Dave Miedema

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Also now on the sports-related cancellation list:

Upcoming PGA and LPGA golf tournaments, including the Masters in early April.

The Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest, scheduled for next weekend. However, the general museum grounds are still scheduled to remain open.

Both NASCAR and the Indy Car Series both plan to hold the next racing event for each one, but without fans in the stands.

Dave Miedema

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As of 3:30 PM on 3/12, the Chicago Sports Spectacular website still plans to hold their event. However, as of this point in time 19 autograph guests have cancelled their appearance due to the COVID19 pandemic. This is up from 11 cancellations just this morning.

Dave Miedema

After mandates issued by Illinois Gov. Jerry Pritzker, this even was cancelled based on crowd size restrictions. The show was officially shut down Thursday evening while a number of dealers were using the evening for early table/booth set-up. No word as of now as to whether the event is totally cancelled or whether it'll be held at a later date.

Dave Miedema

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Just in: MLB has decided to cancel all remaining spring training games and also to delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least 2 weeks.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

As of 3:30 PM on 3/12, the Chicago Sports Spectacular website still plans to hold their event. However, as of this point in time 19 autograph guests have cancelled their appearance due to the COVID19 pandemic. This is up from 11 cancellations just this morning.

Dave Miedema

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More updates:

MLS is postponing their season for a minimum of 30 days.

The San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets will play home games, but with no fan in the seats.

Dave Miedema

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Apparently, at least a few teams in both the NHL and MLB are contemplating their games being played either without fans or in another location.

So far, at least 2 NHL teams have been approached by local and/or state government about playing their home games without fans. The Columbus Blue Jackets, despite the recommendation coming from the Governor of Ohio, have declined, for now. The San Jose Sharks, however, are considering this move.

In MLB, the Seattle Mariners are mulling several options, including playing their 2020 home games at their spring training facility in Arizona for at least part of the season, given that the Seattle area has so far been the most affected metropolitan area in the USA.

Dave Miedema

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I haven't been made aware of any such news about the show yet. Your question, however, is a valid one, especially in regards to fan/athlete contact during the autograph sessions. The concept, in terms of the current health scare, makes total sense. The only frowny faces would come from fans unaware of the show organizer's actions and, sadly, a few of the more profit-driven dealers, who would squawk because the show's attendance would likely plummet with no autograph guests. Your reasoning is spot on; I'm just not sure how show promoters will respond, both here and at other shows.

Dave Miedema