Wisconsin shut down football activities and its game against Nebraska this weekend was canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak. Just a week after kicking off, the Big Ten will join the list of college conferences with missed games because of the coronavirus.
COVID-19 is still an ever-present factor in sports — Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was pulled from the World Series-clinching Game 6 with a positive test. Turner returned to the field to celebrate with his teammates, a move now under investigation by MLB.
Throughout its shortened season, MLB had 57 players test positive. But its approach of playing in local markets with its postseason addition of allowing limited fans — instead of a closed-off bubble — is likely the step forward for other leagues as the virus could impact the sports world until at least 2022.
COVID-Caused Changes
- Reports say Super Bowl LV in Tampa will be held with limited fans, about 20% capacity.
- The American Hockey League pushed back its planned start date from Dec. 4, 2020 to Feb. 5, 2021.
- The National Lacrosse League, which normally starts in November, has pushed its next season start date to April 2021.
