Officials from every major sports league, even down to the high-school level, around the U.S. are closely monitoring the public health situation surrounding the coronavirus that is progressively reaching and impacting the sports landscape in America.
Situations are constantly evolving for each individual league.
The latest
- The NFL draft is scheduled to continue, but with fan events in Las Vegas cancelled.
- The NBA has suspended its season “at least 30 days.”
- The WNBA has delayed the start of the 2020 season, though a virtual draft will take place in April.
- Any potential return to play NHL games has been pushed back into May.
- MLB has delayed the start of the regular season until mid-May.
- President Donald Trump told pro-sports commissioners that he wants leagues to resume soon, he thinks the NFL season will start on time.
- The NCAA Tournament was canceled. Before that, major conference tournaments were also canceled.
- On the high-school level, the boys state tournament games have been suspended “until further notice.” The UIL also suspended all practices and workouts through March 29.
- After originally suspending the season for 30 days, the MLS is now targeting a return on May 10.
- The XFL shut down the rest of its 2020 season. The league suspended operations on April 10. It later declared bankruptcy.
- The PGA Tour canceled four more tournaments, including the 2020 AT&T Byron Nelson.
- NASCAR has suspended its season until May. Events will be rescheduled.
- The UFC postponed its next three scheduled events through April 11.
- The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo have been delayed until 2021.
Below is a breakdown of Dallas-area teams and how the coronavirus has affected their schedules and organizations moving forward.
Find more of The News’ coverage of COVID-19 here.
Cowboys/NFL
The Cowboys may be in the offseason, but the doesn’t mean important happenings around the league aren’t on the horizon.
Two signature league events are approaching on the NFL’s calendar. The annual owner meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., were scheduled for March 29 to April 1. They have been canceled.
The draft, from April 23-25, is the other. The draft is scheduled to continue, but with fan events in Las Vegas cancelled.
“In consideration of current information related to COVID-19 and guidance from medical experts such as the CDC, and in coordination with public authorities in Nevada and the city of Las Vegas, the NFL will modify its plans” the league said in a statement.
The Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins reports the NFL and the players union sent its member clubs a memo delaying the start of the offseason workouts indefinitely due to the coronavirus. Teams with new coaches such as the Cowboys, could start workouts before teams with returning coaches. The Cowboys first scheduled workout was April 6 but that’s now delayed until further notice.
The league also prohibited free agents from attending team facilities to sign contracts or undergo physical exams. If teams want players to undergo physicals they it must occur off site pending league approval.
April 11 (latest news): Dez, Dak and Zeke’s workouts look tone-deaf, but let’s worry about other social-distancing violators first
April 4: Trump talks with US pro sports leaders to discuss virus, says NFL should start on time
March 16: April NFL draft on schedule, no public events in Las Vegas
March 16: NFL bars players and team personnel travel in free agency
March 13: Cowboys’ in-person draft scouting shut down to combat coronavirus
March 11: NFL taking hard look at adjustments to Las Vegas draft as coronavirus pandemic continues
Mavericks/NBA
The NBA suspended its season “until further notice" after the Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
In a television interview, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league’s hiatus will most likely last “at least 30 days.”
Gobert’s teammate, Donovan Mitchell, has also tested positive for COVID-19. Both Gobert and Mitchell released statements on Instagram.
March 27 (latest news): ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke tests positive for coronavirus after feeling symptoms at Mavericks-Nuggets game
March 12: Mavericks, NBA teams face at least a 30-day hiatus — if 2019-20 season resumes at all
March 11: NBA to suspend season after Jazz C Rudy Gobert reportedly tests positive for coronavirus
Rangers/MLB
Major League Baseball pushed back opening day until mid-May at the earliest on Monday because of the new coronavirus after the federal government recommended restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement following a conference call with executives of the 30 teams.
“The clubs remain committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins,” the commissioner’s office said in a statement.
April 10 (latest news): In latest reported scenario for a 2020 MLB season, the Texas Rangers might benefit more than any team
March 28: Subcontractor working on Rangers’ Globe Life Field tests positive for coronavirus
March 16: MLB delays earliest opening day date to mid-May due to coronavirus
March 15: Rangers players head for home in response to coronavirus pandemic
March 13: As coronavirus delays Globe Life Field’s debut, Rangers leadership feels mixed emotions
March 13: Rangers look to stay together in Surprise as coronavirus pandemic takes hold
March 12: Chris Stapleton concert at Globe Life Field postponed
Stars/NHL
Don't count on hockey being played any time soon.
The NHL significantly pushed back its timeline of when it can potentially resume playing by several weeks, if not a month or more, as a result of the new coronavirus pandemic.
The league and NHL Players’ Association told players Monday they can go home — even outside of North America — and must self-isolate through March 27 while the season is on hold. But the NHL also cautioned that it will not be able to even provide guidance on the potential reopening of team practices for another 45 days, which could push any potential return to play into May.
April 17 (latest news): Why the absence of playoffs costs the Dallas Stars more than the Mavericks
March 16: NHL pushes back timeline on potential resumption of season
March 15: Jim Nill asks Stars players to self-quarantine, closes practice rink for a week
March 12: NHL season suspended due to coronavirus pandemic
March 11: NHL does not suspend play in wake of NBA’s stoppage of 2019-20 season
NCAA basketball
The NCAA on March 12 announced the cancellation of the 2020 Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments amid coronavirus concerns, which followed the cancellations of major conference tournaments throughout the day, including the Big 12.
The NCAA also canceled all remaining winter and spring championships, which includes the College World Series.
On the morning of March 12, the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference all canceled their conference basketball tournaments within minutes of each other. All were preparing to play games in large arenas across the country, but with few people in the buildings.
The Big East Conference basketball tournament has been canceled at halftime of Thursday's first game because of the coronavirus outbreak.
As several other big conferences around the country canceled their postseason tournaments, the Big East resumed on schedule at New York’s Madison Square Garden. It started its second-round game between top-seeded Creighton and St. John’s at Madison Square Garden and not until halftime was the tournament called off with St. John’s leading 38-35.
Information from The Associated Press has been used in this report.
March 15 (latest news): With prestige and contract bonuses on the line, why did the NCAA choose to not create March Madness brackets?
March 15: Even without sports to bet on, social distancing is slow out of the gates in Las Vegas
March 15: Baylor coach Kim Mulkey still hopes to finish NCAA season, but a reboot would be complicated
March 13: As the coronavirus spreads, the college sports universe braces for even more uncertainty
March 12: Inside the decision to cancel the AAC Tournament, and how SMU reacted to its season ending
March 12: ‘A sad day’: What NCAA, conference tournament cancellations mean for Big 12 players
March 12: Texas suspends all athletic events until March 29, Texas Relays canceled
HS basketball, athletics
On March 16, the UIL announced it is suspending all contests, rehearsals, practices and workouts through March 29 due to the coronavirus. When the UIL originally suspended sanctioned events, it said practices would be left to the discretion of school districts. That is no longer possible with the UIL’s latest mandate.
On March 12, a half-hour before the boys basketball state tournament was scheduled to start, the UIL announced the tournament would be held at the Alamodome with a limited number of fans in attendance because of the coronavirus.
Then, at halftime of Madison’s Class 3A state semifinal, the UIL announced that the remainder of the tournament was being suspended until further notice after the conclusion of that afternoon’s 3A semifinals.
Latest news (March 16): How Dallas-area high school athletic programs are improvising their practice plans in wake of UIL, TAPPS restrictions
FC Dallas/MLS
Major League Soccer is targeting a May 10 return to play and will consider pushing back its championship game by a month into December.
After announcing a 30-day suspension last week because of the new coronavirus, the league said it will follow last weekend’s recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to not hold events involving more than 50 people for eight weeks.
“MLS remains focused on playing the entire 2020 season and is evaluating all options, including pushing back the end of the season and playing MLS Cup in December, as the league did prior to the 2019 season,” the league said in a statement.
The annual Dallas Cup, which features top academy teams from across the world, has also been canceled because of COVID-19, which has spread worldwide. The tournament, which dates back four decades, will not be rescheduled for a later date, according to a news release.
Latest news (March 19): MLS pushes back targeted return to May 10, considers extending into December due to coronavirus
March 16: How FC Dallas is handling the MLS’ suspended season, training moratorium
March 12: MLS suspending season for 30 days amid coronavirus pandemic; 2020 Dallas Cup canceled
March 12: Mexican National Team cancels match in Arlington due to COVID-19
Golf
The AT&T Byron Nelson was among four tournaments canceled by the PGA Tour on March 17, just five days after the tour canceled four other tournaments.
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley announced The Masters was canceled on March 13.
One day prior, the PGA Tour decided to scrap the rest of The Players Championship and shut down its other tournaments for the next three weeks.
April 17 (latest news): McKinney golf courses remain open after Attorney General Ken Paxton says they can
April 16: ‘It would be historic’: Nothing’s guaranteed, but PGA Tour’s planned return could be a game-changer
April 8: McKinney golf courses remain open after mayor’s motion to shut them down fails
March 21: How Dallas-area golf courses are facing a new reality amid the coronavirus pandemic
March 17: PGA Tour cancels four more tournaments, including 2020 AT&T Byron Nelson
March 13: The Masters becomes the latest golf event to be postponed
March 12: PGA Tour announces temporary shut down as annual events in Dallas and Fort Worth near
Wings/WNBA
The WNBA has postponed the start of its season because of the coronavirus pandemic, with no indication when play would begin.
The league was scheduled to open training camps April 26 and the regular season was set to begin May 15. The WNBA will still hold a “virtual” draft April 17. The Dallas Wings hold picks 2, 5, 7, 9 15 and 21 in the draft.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement Friday the league will “use this time to conduct scenario-planning regarding new start dates and innovative formats.”
Olympics
March 24 (latest news): With Olympics postponed due to coronavirus, Dallas-area athletes share grief, relief and uncertainty for 2021
March 24: Tokyo Olympics postponed until 2021
March 2: Olympic officials fret about coronavirus, but Games in Japan remain on tap
Esports
Due to the international nature of the sport, a number of leagues and tournaments have been affected by the coronavirus.
March 27 (latest news): Dallas Fuel matches removed from Overwatch League weekend slate
March 20: Mavs Gaming announces participation in 1st ‘Three for All Showdown’
March 12: Call of Duty League suspends live events due to coronavirus, will still play matches
March 12: How the Dallas Fuel, other Overwatch League teams are adjusting to evolving game, unknown schedule
March 6: Upcoming Apex Legends Global Series major in Arlington postponed because of coronavirus concerns
March 5: Rocket League World Championship in Garland canceled because of developing concerns over coronavirus
XFL
The XFL suspended operations league-wide on April 10. The league declared bankruptcy just days later.
The decision comes nearly a month after the league ended its first season because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league lasted five games. The Dallas Renegades finished 2-3.
The XFL says an unidentified player with the Seattle Dragons has tested positive for coronavirus.
The fledgling football league says the player reported his symptoms to team medical staff on March 10 and has been in quarantine ever since. He was tested for COVID-19 and received the result on March 13.
The league says the player participated in the Dragons’ March 7 game against the Roughnecks in Houston and a Feb. 29 game against the BattleHawks in St. Louis. He was asymptomatic at the time.
Latest news: XFL player tests positive for coronavirus
UFC
The UFC has postponed its next three scheduled events through April 11, finally giving up on President Dana White’s plan to keep fighting amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The UFC will not hold its show scheduled for Saturday, which was initially slated to be held in a full arena in London. The UFC also won't hold shows scheduled for March 28 and April 11.
“It's just impossible,” White said on ESPN, the UFC's broadcast partner. “We can't do it.”
White insists he will hold UFC 249 on April 18, although he doesn’t have a venue for it. Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson in the promotion’s biggest pay-per-view show of the spring.
Latest news (March 16): UFC postpones next 3 scheduled events amid coronavirus pandemic
Horse racing
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie released the following statement on March 16:
The health and safety of our patrons and employees is of paramount importance. While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) at Lone Star Park, we will close Bar & Book at Lone Star Park in accordance with Dallas County and health official directives that bans all restaurants, bars and gyms to slow the transmission of this virus. This closure will begin tonight, Monday, March 16 at midnight until March 31.
We will post updates to our website based upon the best available information and through social media as they occur.
Thank you very much for your loyalty and your understanding as we navigate this difficult time.
Auto racing
NASCAR has suspended its season until May as part of the CDC’s recommendation to postpone gatherings for the next eight weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision came after at least two Monday conference calls between the sanctioning body and its team owners. It affects seven total races — Atlanta and Homestead had already been postponed.
“The health and safety of our fans, industry and the communities in which we race is our most important priority," NASCAR said.
The series plans to return to the track at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia on May 9. Race activities, including the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, that were scheduled for March 27-29 at Texas Motor Speedway will be postponed to a yet-to-be-determined future date, according to a release. NASCAR hopes to reschedule races once the pandemic ends.
IndyCar races through April have been canceled as well.
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) March 12, 2020
Boxing
The Vergil Ortiz Jr.-Samuel Vargas fight for March 28 in Los Angeles has been postponed after California canceled all combat sports until end of the month. Ortiz Jr. is from Grand Prairie.
For those who have already purchased tickets to the events, refunds will be made available at the original point of purchase. If tickets were purchased online, refunds will be processed automatically. 🥊 pic.twitter.com/0RSTuTdIZt
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) March 12, 2020
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