• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 12, 2025

Will It Really Be Safe?

  • Experts continue to caution that the virus has not disappeared — and while March Madness protocols are certainly strict, they won’t completely eliminate risk.
  • Even simply hosting March Madness could send a problematic message, one expert told FOS.
Photo: UNC Athletics/Design: Alex Brooks

COVID-19 cases have declined both in the region and across the country over the last month, and vaccine distribution is increasing. Dr. Anthony Fauci has even predicted that fans could fill football stadiums this fall.

But experts continue to caution that the virus has not disappeared — and while March Madness protocols are certainly strict, they won’t completely eliminate risk.

“This is a different level of madness that we’re going to experience during the tournament,” Illinois computer science professor and risk assessment expert Sheldon Jacobson told FOS.

Protocol Concerns

The strict testing and quarantine will help minimize risk, Muhlenberg public health professor Kathleen Bachynski told FOS. However, teams departing from various geographic locations and descending on one single city could spread the virus.

Bachynski does not think that some personnel working outside the tightest protocols pose a major concern. But in general, Jacobson added, “There’s always going to be holes.” 

Plus, even with a limited number of fans flocking to games, there is heightened potential for an outbreak — especially since games are indoors. “I don’t love it,” Bachynski said. 

But fans attending as household “pods” could lower the chance of the virus entering the building, since it means people arriving from more homogeneous locations, Jacobson added.

Hoops has a more tempered perspective: “This is not, with all due respect to other places, a motorcycle rally with no masks.”

Public Health Concerns

Bachynski says simply hosting March Madness could send a problematic message. People could misinterpret the tournament as a green light for complementary activities, like gathering in people’s houses to watch games.

“I’d love to see us just hold on a couple more weeks, a couple more months,” Bachynski said. “We’re going to be in a much better position.”

Either way, the tournament is happening. No one knows how much the Big Dance will spread the virus, how many teams will have to drop out, or how many games will actually be played. 

When asked for a prediction, Jacobson said, “My crystal ball is very murky.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NCAA: March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams ‘Still Viable’ for 2026

Negotiations continue with media rights holder CBS and TNT Sports.
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Head coaches Willie Fritz of Houston, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia, Lance Leipold of Kansas, Sonny Dykes of TCU, Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Brent Brennan of Arizona and Deion Sanders of Colorado all sit on stage for a Coaches Roundtable during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star.

Big 12 Commish: Conference Is ‘All In’ on International Expansion

The conference had once planned a large initiative in Mexico.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
A helmt is seen during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

CFB’s Revenue-Sharing Era Muddles Future of NIL, Adds PE Questions

Athletic departments can pay college athletes a combined $20.5 million this year.

Featured Today

Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

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

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Athletic Departments Express Renewed Interest in PE in Wake of House Settlement

Schools now have more expenses—and are looking for creative solutions.
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard KK Arnold (2)1 dribbles against UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) during the third quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.
July 10, 2025

‘Kind of a Joke’: Frustrations Mount As New NIL Deal Approval Process..

Delays have already led to athletes losing NIL opportunities.
July 10, 2025

Deion Sanders Rips ‘Bulljunk’ in CFB, Calls for NFL-Style Salary Cap

Coach Prime is frustrated with the new revenue-sharing era.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Sebastian Rivera (R) tf. Danny Coles 6:47 (20-3). Rutgers University Wrestling vs Princeton in Piscataway, NJ on February 18, 2022.
July 9, 2025

The House Settlement Is Being Appealed. It Won’t Stop Revenue-Sharing—for Now

The settlement’s approval on June 6 triggered an appeals process.
July 9, 2025

Big Ten, Big 12 Commissioners Remain Far Apart on CFP’s Future

A decision on expansion must be made by December.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone
July 8, 2025

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.
Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Nicholas DeGraves (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston University Terriers during the third period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center
July 7, 2025

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State decision signals hockey’s rising stars now prefer college.