March Madness and Covid-19

[steverocks35]

I think this is all academic (no pun intended). I don't think there's anyway the Big 12 or SEC are going to take a risk when other conferences are bailing out. There is too much possible liability when we don't know the long-term effects of this disease yet.

 

[thebigabd]

I think this is all academic (no pun intended). I don't think there's anyway the Big 12 or SEC are going to take a risk when other conferences are bailing out. There is too much possible liability when we don't know the long-term effects of this disease yet.

On top of that, you have the reality of the situation.... Playing in front of no fans. No ticket sales. No concession sales. Very limited retail sales... No campus atmosphere.

Without fans I really don't see the point.

 

[stormspencer]

What are those safeguards, protocols and supervision? Are they in a bubble? Can they go see their girlfriends or go to restaurants? Why would the chance of infecting others go up if they go home? They won't be in a large group in close contact daily (presumably) if they go home.

It's very simple. There is less accountability for their behavior if they go home. The players wouldn't have a coach in their ear every day stressing what you need to be doing and what not to be doing. Also, they won't be getting the consistent testing that they are getting as of now. When you're a part of a team, you are held accountable by your coaches and teammates as what you do can have an effect on a team. When you're in a silo or on your own without consistent structure in certain cases, then the probability of you straying from protocol goes up significantly.....especially at that age.

 

[steverocks35]

It's very simple. There is less accountability for their behavior if they go home. The players wouldn't have a coach in their ear every day stressing what you need to be doing and what not to be doing. Also, they won't be getting the consistent testing that they are getting as of now. When you're a part of a team, you are held accountable by your coaches and teammates as what you do can have an effect on a team. When you're in a silo or on your own without consistent structure in certain cases, then the probability of you straying from protocol goes up significantly.....especially at that age.

Will they be in a bubble? If not, then everything you're saying is a moot point. They are still kids and they will be out in the community doing kid things. And then they will be in close contact with their teammates and coaches during the day. In no other situation will they be in close contact with 100+ others for hours a day (presumably).

 

[stormspencer]

https://twitter.com/SpencerRattler/status/1292861239190847491

 

[BCSooners]

They are safer on campus then at home.

 

[WTSooner]

I keep seeing talk of them at home. Won't most of them be on campus taking classes? Why would they go home and stay home?

And if you think they are going to stay in a bubble on campus once coeds are back, you are sorely mistaken. We already have posters on another board saying he has seen groups of players out on campus corner without masks. How is that different then being out at home? It's not.

 

[Eielson]

Is the Big-10 actually shut down? Or they're strongly considering it?

 

[Eielson]

The SEC will go down kicking and screaming, if at all. Fans will riot masklessly in the thousands. I would not count them out yet.

 

[WTSooner]

Is the Big-10 actually shut down? Or they're strongly considering it?

I think they fear being left behind. They cancel, the Big 12, SEC, and ACC go on, and that does irreperable harm to the Big 10's image. Sure seems like their final answer has to be not to play, based on Presidents' voting, but I'm sure they'd feel 1000x better about it if a couple other P5 conferences joined them.

 

[stormspencer]

Is the Big-10 actually shut down? Or they're strongly considering it?

The rumor was the presidents informally voted 12-2 to cancel the season (Iowa and Nebraska wanted to play), however, there has not been an official "vote" per se.

I really think the SEC will at least start the season....as well as the ACC. Texas and OU will be the decision-makers for the Big 12. I say continue to wait another week or two. Don't rush to make a definitive decision.

 

[Eielson]

Texas and OU will be the decision-makers for the Big 12. I say continue to wait another week or two. Don't rush to make a definitive decision.

It sounds like Linc has all but thrown in the towel, while UT is determined to play.

 

[WTSooner]

The rumor was the presidents informally voted 12-2 to cancel the season (Iowa and Nebraska wanted to play), however, there has not been an official "vote" per se.

I really think the SEC will at least start the season....as well as the ACC. Texas and OU will be the decision-makers for the Big 12. I say continue to wait another week or two. Don't rush to make a definitive decision.

Whatever decision we make now would be the same in two weeks. Nothing in the COVID universe is going to change much over that time. We know that it mostly spreads through large gatherings (in tight spaces at times). We know that if people wear masks and attempt to socially distance, the spread slows. Nobody (country-wise) worth mentioning has gotten rid of it completely. Once people get back out or stop wearing masks, it spreads again.

I don't see the benefit for the schools especially if stadiums will be empty or near empty. Risk of a lawsuit or death or whatever seems to outweigh any financial benefit IMO.

 

[Eielson]

I don't see the benefit for the schools especially if stadiums will be empty or near empty. Risk of a lawsuit or death or whatever seems to outweigh any financial benefit IMO.

Players would definitely have to sign waivers...but wouldn't they? I imagine the TV money is quite substantial.

 

[stormspencer]

Whatever decision we make now would be the same in two weeks. Nothing in the COVID universe is going to change much over that time. We know that it mostly spreads through large gatherings (in tight spaces at times). We know that if people wear masks and attempt to socially distance, the spread slows. Nobody (country-wise) worth mentioning has gotten rid of it completely. Once people get back out or stop wearing masks, it spreads again.

I don't see the benefit for the schools especially if stadiums will be empty or near empty. Risk of a lawsuit or death or whatever seems to outweigh any financial benefit IMO.

As cases and deaths recede here in Texas, this is where I see the value of waiting. With another week or two of data, the trends hopefully will continue to decline. There is an optics component to this. And if you combine the success of the protocols and safeguards that have been put in place during fall camp, then you at least have a chance.....but as LR says, you only get one shot at this. There would also have to be some liability waiver or litigation ceiling in place as well.

As far as money, conferences still receive revenue from games being played because of television. Yes, empty stadiums and lack of merchandising/commerce would hurt on game day, but the financial impact of not playing at all would be devastating to many university budgets. I would venture a guess that most of the student-athletes want to play, but they don't get to make the decision.

 

[WTSooner]

As far as money, conferences still receive revenue from games being played because of television. Yes, empty stadiums and lack of merchandising/commerce would hurt on game day, but the financial impact of not playing at all would be devastating to many university budgets. I would venture a guess that most of the student-athletes want to play, but they don't get to make the decision.

I don't know the answer to this, but I'm wondering how much of the coaches' salaries would have to be paid if they didn't play a single game?

 

[SoonerBounce13]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fo...spain-and-italy-put-europe-on-high-alert/amp/

 

[Eielson]

We all knew SEC would play if at all within their power, but I think ACC being adamantly in will result in Big XII sticking. If those three are in, I think B10 may pop back into the picture, or at least several of their teams (NU stepping in for KU?). PAC-12 opting out was never really a question; their reputation as soft is well-earned.

 

[stormspencer]

We all knew SEC would play if at all within their power, but I think ACC being adamantly in will result in Big XII sticking. If those three are in, I think B10 may pop back into the picture, or at least several of their teams (NU stepping in for KU?). PAC-12 opting out was never really a question; their reputation as soft is well-earned.

Yep. The PAC thinks very highly of themselves....as in the Ivy League of the West Coast. Piety above us commoners.

 

[BCSooners]

We all knew SEC would play if at all within their power, but I think ACC being adamantly in will result in Big XII sticking. If those three are in, I think B10 may pop back into the picture, or at least several of their teams (NU stepping in for KU?). PAC-12 opting out was never really a question; their reputation as soft is well-earned.

I agree. I would love to see those 3 say they are all in & then see who comes back in.