• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

NFL Sanctions Raiders, Steelers Over COVID-19 Violations

  • The Las Vegas Raiders, repeat offenders, were stripped of a draft pick.
  • Earlier this week, the league expanded its COVID-19 protocols.
jon gruden mask
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers are the latest NFL teams to be hit with COVID-19-related sanctions. 

On Nov. 5, the Raiders were hit with the largest fine so far this season for “repeat offenses,” getting docked $500,000 and a sixth-round 2021 draft pick. Head coach Jon Gruden himself was also fined $150,000.

The team’s latest offense occurred when offensive tackle Trent Brown did not wear his tracking device at the team facility, then tested positive after multiple teammates were in close proximity of him without masks. 

Prior to that incident, a group of players attended a charity event without wearing masks, and during their Week 1 game, Gruden and the team did not properly follow mask protocol. 

The undefeated Steelers were fined $250,000 on Nov. 6 for violations that occurred in their Week 8 come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens, when players weren’t wearing masks on the sideline or during celebrations. Head coach Mike Tomlin was also fined $100,000 for celebrating on the field without a mask — he had previously consistently worn his Steelers-branded neck gaiter since training camp.

The punishments come as the league is dealing with the impact of COVID-19 cases among 50% of teams, and is expanding its precautions in an attempt to keep the season on track. One of the new measures announced to teams this week includes expanding sideline areas to allow for greater distancing, and mandating the use of masks in locker rooms.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell during the NFLPA press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

NFLPA Head Has Side Hustle With PE Firm That Can Invest in..

The NFLPA’s executive director is embroiled in multiple controversies.

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

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

NFL’s Alternate Uniforms Fuel Big Business—and Lots of Nostalgia

The Commanders kick off a run of new NFL helmets and uniforms.

Featured Today

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.

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.
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.
FIFA

Saudis Awarded 2034 World Cup in Uncontested Vote

Saudi Arabia was the only option after Australia decided not to bid.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
The stands at the Solheim Cup
September 13, 2024

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
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
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.