Coronavirus Likely To End Sports As We Know Them

Handshakes? Goodbye.

Crowds of fans? No way, stay home.

Media access? Gone.

International travel to events? Think again.

Playing at all? Likely not for long.

Sports as we know them are about to change, or better yet, about to be cancelled for the foreseeable future.

The only way any game is going to continue, appears to be through team’s practicing strict social distancing and isolation, and playing all games in empty arenas and stadiums.

For some leagues, that is a death sentence, considering the only source of income is fans.

For others with television rights, they might be able to survive through this.

One thing is for sure now that Covid-19 has become an international pandemic, this virus will not be stopped, only slowed.

That means social distancing is a must. In a society where people are already isolated, relying on technology to connect people, these last remaining sources of connection will be a hard hit.

It will not be forever, but it may be for weeks, and months.

With the cancellation of events like the Women’s World Hockey Championships, and the announcement that all men’s and women’s NCAA March Madness games, as well as some NHL games will be played without fans in the stands, the precedent is set.

Other leagues, including local Junior hockey teams would be wise to follow suit.

Perhaps communities will come together in the decision to keep ice in select arenas longer, to allow games to be played once the coronavirus is under control.

While it is clear the coronavirus will certainly impact sports as we know them immediately, and in the near future, the depth and breadth of this impact will be one to follow closely.