Bored Shut-Ins Urge Trump To Let The Games Begin
On the list of important issues in this troubled time, American president Donald Trump conducting a meeting with the commissioners of 11 sports leagues is not high on the priority list. But Saturday Trump convened a chat with the people leading the sports leagues— all of whom (but WWE, some horse racing and UFC) are shut down in the pandemic panic.
The president told the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, MLS, PGA, LPGA, Breeders’ Cup, UFC and WWE that he was determined to get them back to work at finishing or starting seasons on hold. He said he expects the NFL season to start on time in early September. And that the NBA, NHL and MLB should finish out their incomplete seasons. Said Trump after the call. “The whole concept of our nation wasn't designed for it. We're gonna have to get back. We want to get back soon.”
Well, great. I want a pony for Xmas, But that doesn’t mean I’m getting one. And California governor Gavin Newsom (whose state its doing very well in the crisis) quickly reminded the president that he’ll be the one to decide when any games or competitions are staged in his state— which has 20 men’s and women’s teams in the various pro sports leagues.
Still, there are hints that a break might emerge before the 30-day April self-isolation order is over. Already, ESPN has floated the idea that it might stage a H-O-R-S-E competition using NBA stars in isolation. The NFL plans to conduct a scaled-down version of its annual draft in two weeks with social distancing observed. The WWE went ahead with its annual Wrestlemania event this weekend with no fans in attendance. And UFC continues to stage cards with no fans in the stands.
That’s not much on which to hang your sports hat. But there is reason to believe that building on this might be something more than another aspirational goal for the president. While some of his healthcare experts have stated that society can’t resume till the last person has died from Covid-19 it’s now conceded that such a standard is clearly impractical.
As we’ve said for weeks now, Trump needs a potent symbol to the nation that it is open for business once again. The predicted morbidity numbers this week are indeed going to be bracing. But the return of sports to a culture that has exhausted its Netflix subscription would be one of the most dramatic signs that it’s okay to enjoy a few of the old pleasures without fear of the virus.
How would that be done if the virus is still active in certain hot spots of the country? Or if— like governor Newsom— state officials refuse to go along? Or if the notoriously liberal sports media stokes up public sentiment against the move? You can see the challenges. Plus there is the lingering image of juvenile NBA star Rudy Gobert of Utah mocking the bans on contact after his press conference following the Pacers’ last game before the suspension (Gobert later tested positive for Covid-19.).
But the advent of instant testing kits for Covid-19 presents an opportunity to determine who might safely participate when sports resume. The numbers of under-60s— that would represent 100 percent of professional team sport athletes— who have died of the virus without underlying conditions is also statistically insignificant. One can see many athletes who’ve lost all or part of their livelihood being amenable to retuning under controlled conditions with only TV coverage.
Games could begin in the first weeks back without crowds. Safe “studio” conditions could be produced that would allow athletes to have peace of mind about the virus on everyone’s hands or clothing. Fans would not be tempted to break any curfews still in effect if they could stay home to watch games.
You can see the appeal for the president— who once owned a USFL franchise starring Doug Flutie at quarterback and Herschel Walker as his running back— in sports restoring normalcy as he heads for the 2020 election in November.
For the present the deat- toll numbers announced this week will be a cautionary wedge used to hold back sports. But it’s important to remember that the mortality statistics lag the reality by up to 20 days. In short they are not a picture of the current status of the virus. When current numbers start to show the virus’ grip loosening— with warmer weather lessening its spread— it will be difficult to hold back the public demand to play ball.
Bruce Dowbiggin @dowbboy is the editor of Not The Public Broadcaster (http://www.notthepublicbroadcaster.com). He’s also a regular contributor to Sirius XM Canada Talks Ch. 167. A two-time winner of the Gemini Award as Canada's top television sports broadcaster, he is also the best-selling author of Cap In Hand which is available on BruceDowbigginBooks.ca