Multiple media outlets have reported that WWE superstar Roman Reigns will not participate in WrestleMania this year, likely because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Reigns – whose real name is Joe Anoa’i – was slated to face off against Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship in what would have […]
Tag: coronavirus
Wood Memorial Becomes Latest Derby Prep Shelved Due To COVID-19
With the New York Racing Association’s decision to suspend live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack through at least April 5 because of the coronavirus, another Kentucky Derby prep race went on the shelf. The latest postponed marquee race is the Grade 2 $750,000 Wood Memorial. Previously set for April 4, the […]
Hall-Of-Fame Jockey Javier Castellano Tests Positive for COVID-19
Hall-of-Fame jockey Javier Castellano announced on Twitter Thursday that he’s tested positive for COVID-19, making him the first US rider known to have a coronavirus infection. The initial announcement came via a tweet by his agent, John Panagot who said Gulfstream Park required Castellano to take a physical. He took […]
Chess: FIDE Postpones Remainder of Candidates Tournament Before Round Eight
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has postponed the remainder of the Candidates Tournament, citing new Russian travel restrictions put into place due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, Russian officials announced a prohibition on international air travel beginning on Friday, March 27, with no prescribed end date for that restriction. […]
Japanese Soccer to Return Gradually, J. League Set for May 9 Start
J.League chairman Mitsuru Murai announced Tuesday that Japanese soccer leagues will restart beginning in late April, with the top-tier J. League coming back in early May. The staggered restart will begin with the third-tier J3 league opening again on April 25, followed by J2 on May 2, and J. League […]
Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder Trilogy Fight Moving to Fall Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
The third meeting between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former champion Deontay Wilder is moving from its planned July 18 date due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. While this is hardly the first delayed sporting event due to COVID-19-related concerns, the postponement is notable for an event that […]
Coronavirus Shuts Down Greyhound Racing, Bringing Early End to Florida Dog Tracks
In 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly decided that greyhound racing should be shut down in the Sunshine State by the end of 2020. Now, some of the few tracks remaining may close even earlier than anticipated due to the coronavirus outbreak. Last Friday, the Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club announced […]
DraftKings Implores Fans to Rally for Their Communities During Pandemic
DraftKings has launched a new charity initiative, #DKRally, which asks sports fans to rally for their communities on social media as the coronavirus pandemic grows across the globe. #DKRally Hopes to Raise $1 Million Through “#DKRally,†the DFS operator hopes to raise $1 million for United Way, the nonprofit that […]
IOC, Organizing Committee Officially Postpones 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games
The International Olympic Committee and Japanese organizers came to an agreement on Tuesday to postpone the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics for up to a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision comes a day after IOC member Dick Pound revealed that the decision to push back the Summer […]
$12 Million Dubai World Cup Becomes Latest COVID-19 Casualty
The $12 million Dubai World Cup, one of the world’s richest horse races, became the latest sporting casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic when organizers canceled the race and the rest of Saturday’s card. That card at Meydan Racecourse forms the world’s richest race day, one featuring $35 million in purses […]
Chess: Ian Nepomniachtchi Wins Two Straight to Take Full Point Lead at Candidates Tournament
Ian Nepomniachtchi scored back-to-back wins in Rounds 5 and 6 of the FIDE Candidates Tournament to push his score to 4.5/6, giving him a 1-point lead as the event reaches its halfway mark. Nepomniachtchi defeated Ding Liren on Monday, handing the Chinese grandmaster his third loss of the tournament. Nepomniachtchi […]
IOC Member Says Summer Olympics Will Be Postponed; Canada, Australia Officially Drop Out
International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound told USA Today Sports on Monday that the 2020 Summer Olympic Games will be postponed, though an official announcement isn’t necessarily imminent. Pound’s comments came after both Canada and Australia announced that their teams will not be attending the Summer Olympics in Tokyo […]
Aqueduct Park Closes After Backstretch Worker Tests Positive for Coronavirus
In the latest COVID-19-related news to hit the horse racing community, officials closed Aqueduct Racetrack in New York until further notice after a backstretch worker tested positive Thursday morning for the coronavirus. The unidentified worker, who lives and works in nearby Belmont Park, has been quarantined. He developed symptoms on […]
Pro Wrestling in the Coronavirus Era: Two Nights of WrestleMania and Empty Arenas
Professional wrestling is all about the crowd. Performers rise and fall on the heat they generate from sold-out stadiums, feeding on the energy of audiences who buy into the story and psychology of each and every match. But in the era of the coronavirus, wrestling promotions are holding shows in […]
All Tour Tennis Events Suspended Through June 7; French Open Move Irks US Open, Laver Cup
Both the ATP and WTA tours jointly announced on Wednesday that they are suspending all play until at least June 7 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, a move that will dramatically shorten the tennis calendar for 2020. That decision eliminates all of the major clay-court tournaments that typically take […]
Kevin Durant and 3 Other Brooklyn Nets Test Positive for Coronavirus
Four members of the Brooklyn Nets, including Kevin Durant, tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The NBA now as at least seven confirmed cases during the coronavirus outbreak in North America. Only Durant confirmed that he tested positive for coronavirus, and the other three players who are infected remain unknown as […]
Grand National Canceled: World’s Biggest Horse Betting Event is Latest COVID-19 Casualty
The £1 million Grand National, the largest betting event on the world’s horse racing calendar, became the latest sporting victim of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday when race operator, Jockey Club Racecourses, canceled the event. Jockey Club Racecourses made the decision after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on […]
Kentucky Derby Moved to First Saturday in September, Fans Included
For the first time since World War II, the Kentucky Derby will not run the first Saturday in May. Instead, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will run the first Saturday in September. Churchill Downs officials made the announcement Tuesday morning in response to a directive from the Centers for […]
Soccer Calendar Radically Changing as European Championship, Copa America Postponed to 2021
Two of the world’s biggest regional soccer competitions canceled their 2020 events, as both Euro 2020 and the Copa America postponed their summer tournaments due to the coronavirus outbreak — moves that have a cascading impact on the worldwide soccer calendar. The European Championship will now be played from June […]
NFL Draft Leaving Las Vegas Over Coronavirus, Future Super Bowl is Possibility
The NFL announced Monday it is canceling its Draft activities scheduled for April 23-25 in Las Vegas because of coronavirus concerns, but suggested the city might get a bigger prize down the road. Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement saying the NFL Draft will still continue, just not in Vegas. […]