NHL Extends Self Quarantine
The National Hockey League extended its guideline for self-quarantine until April 15th.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the extension which adds an extra 11 days to the previous guidance of April 4th
The NHL put its season on pause March 12 with 189 regular-season games remaining.
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman remains optimistic of resuming the season and awarding the Stanley Cup in 2020
The NHL has asked teams for arena availability dates through August, so consideration is being given to having NHL Hockey deep into the summer.
City Cancels Permits
Toronto mayor John Tory announced that the city has cancelled all permits and access to city services for events through June 30th due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Among the events that likely will be impacted by the decision is the annual RBC Canadian Open which is scheduled for June 8th-11th at St. George’s Golf & Country Club and the annual Queen's Plate set for June 27th.
To facilitate the Canadian Open, 3 lanes of Islington Avenue need to be shut down, plus 2 major music concerts on the football field of a local high school are also part of the promotion.
Without the city’s permits, the logistics make it all but impossible to operate.
Also, the Queen's Plate which has been run annually since 1860, likely will be affected negatively by the announcement
Leafs-Raptors-Blue Jays-Argos & TFC
The ban on city-led events in Toronto through June 30th technically does not apply to professional sporting contests
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors still could play games at Scotiabank Arena, the Blue Jays could play at the Rogers Centre and Toronto FC and the Argonauts could play at BMO Field, since they are privately owned and operated venues.
However, sports around the world have been suspended, cancelled or postponed indefinitely because of the COVID-19 crisis and it's unlikely the Toronto teams would break from the stance of the sporting world.
Furthermore, Ontario extended its state of emergency through April 14th which prohibits events or gatherings of more than 5 people.
NBA Payrolls
The National Basketball Association and the players association are discussing scenarios of withholding up to 25 per cent of players’ pay if regular season games are cancelled,
The NBA remains hopeful that the league will resume with some part of the regular season and playoffs, but any loss of games will result in a financial burden shouldered by both the players and owners.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggers a clause in the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement that states players will lose approximately one per cent of salary per cancelled game.
The NBA shut down on March 11th after Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.
NFL Expands Playoffs
The National Football League is proceeding with the belief a normal season and playoffs will be conducted.
The NFL is preparing for a scheduled start on September 10th
Yesterday, NFL owners voted to expand the playoffs by 1 team in each conference for a total of 14 playoff qualifiers next season
The vote to expand the post season was unanimous.
Jones Pleads Guilty
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon ” Bones ” Jones pleaded guilty to his 2nd drunken driving offence in New Mexico.
Jones made the plea yesterday and was sentenced to one year of supervised probation.
As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped other charges of possession of an open container, no proof of insurance, and negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Jones was arrested last week in Albuquerque on suspicion of aggravated DWI, negligent use of firearms, possession of an open container of alcohol, and no proof of insurance for a vehicle.