• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 2025

2020 Tour De France Winners Could be First Vaccinated in Sports

ironman-virtual-racing-series-coronavirus
Eric Seals-USA TODAY Sports

The 2020 Tour De France champion UAE Team Emirates will likely be the first major professional sports organization in the world to receive COVID-19 vaccines. 

The team’s cyclists and support staff — about 100 people — are considered relatively “high priority” due to the value Emirati authorities place on the nation’s international sports reputation.

The squad will receive China’s Sinopharm vaccine when it arrives in Abu Dhabi for a training camp on Jan. 6. 

Only one of the team’s 30 riders is actually from the UAE, while the other 29 share 12 different nationalities — very few would be immediately eligible for vaccines in their home nations.

The news comes as U.S. sports organizations are grappling with how to move forward amid the pandemic. 

  • The NHL is reportedly interested in privately financing vaccines for every player
  • The NFL has insisted it will not arrange for players to cut vaccine lines
  • The NBA is said to be planning a widespread educational campaign to encourage vaccination among players

Some experts suggest that vaccinating star athletes early on could help persuade more of the American public to do so, with the potential benefits outweighing backlash. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 28, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; President Donald Trump welcomes players and staff of the Philadelphia Eagles to celebrate their Super Bowl victory at the White House Monday, April 28, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Josh Morgan-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-1280532 (Via OlyDrop)

Cycling, Fishing Brands Among 6 Small Businesses That Sued Over Trump Tariffs

An appeals court allowed Trump tariffs to continue—for now.
Nov 3, 2024; New York City, New York, US; Dakota Popehn (USA) and other elite women runners begin the New York City Marathon on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Strava’s Buying Spree Continues With Deal for Cycling App

Strava has been focused on growth as the fitness app industry explodes.
July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Karter Knox (11) controls the ball against Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Men’s March Madness Sets Opening-Day Viewership Record

CBS Sports and TNT Sports scored big with Arkansas–Kansas.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
patrick_mahomes

Super Bowl TV Viewership Sinks 8%

CBS Sports’ telecast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 91.629 million viewers, down 8%.
person_playing_cricket
December 23, 2020

Prominent Tech Execs Line Up to Back Cricket Growth In the U.S.

More than 20 investors have now bought into American Cricket Enterprise, parent company oMajor League Cricket.
man_riding_stationary_bike
December 28, 2020

Connected Fitness Company Echelon Lands $65 Million Investment

The funding came from Goldman Sachs and North Castle Partners, who now own controlling interests in the company.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
woman_holding_hockey_stick
December 23, 2020

NBC to Air NWHL Finals, Adds to Banner Year for Women’s Sports

It will be the first time professional women’s hockey games are shown live on a major national cable network in the U.S.
antetokounmpo_dribbling_basketball
December 23, 2020

‘Giannis Effect’ Felt by Bucks Following Record-Breaking Extension

Since he was drafted in 2013, the Bucks’ valuation has jumped from No. 30 in the league at $312 million to No. 19 at $1.58 billion.
December 22, 2020

Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion is ‘Manifest Destiny of the League’

“It’s sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.
December 22, 2020

Adidas Partners With Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God Brand

Lorenzo will lead creative and business strategy for Adidas basketball globally, and launch a Fear of God athletics sub-brand.