NCAA President: NCAA Tournament Will Be Played Without Fans In Attendance
Mar 11, 2020, 2:41 PM | Updated: 3:49 pm
A general view of a 'March Madness' logo is seen during practice before the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 20, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – NCAA president Mark Emmert announced that the upcoming men’s and women’s basketball tournament will be played without fans in attendance due to concerns with the coronavirus.
Emmert’s announcement was released on Wednesday, March 11.
“I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance,” Emmert said in a statement.
NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: https://t.co/TIHHJjdse5 pic.twitter.com/8I1HdceDfN
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 11, 2020
The NCAA is also looking into the possibility of moving the Final Four games out of their originally scheduled venue of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and into a smaller arena in Atlanta. Sites for regional games could also be moved to other facilities.
Mark Emmert says the NCAA is looking to move the Final Four out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium into a smaller venue in Atlanta.
Regional sites could also be moved from the currently scheduled arenas to smaller venues in same cities.
The plan is to keep sites for the 1st round as is.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) March 11, 2020
Other Sporting Events Impacted By Coronavirus
NBA
The Golden State Warriors will become the first NBA team to play a game in their home arena without fans due to rising concerns about Coronavirus. The Warriors issued a press release saying their game Thursday night will be played at Chase Center against the Brooklyn Nets in front of an empty arena.
The Warriors have canceled or postponed all other events at the Chase Center through March 21, guests who purchased tickets will either be refunded or given tickets to the rescheduled events.
NBA owners are scheduled to take part in a conference call later today to determine further action regarding coronavirus.
MLB
The San Francisco Giants have canceled their preseason game against the Oakland Athletics schedule for March 24 at Oracle Park.
The Seattle Mariners will not play any home games during the month of March.
MLS
Elsewhere, the Seattle Sounders FC have postponed their March 21 match against Dallas FC which was set to be played on March 21 at CenturyLink Field in Washington.
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