Sports Update

COVID-19 has cancelled many if not all upcoming events this year, including almost all high school and professional sports. With the spread of the virus to the United States, every professional sports league in America has been put on hold. 

As Spring is right around the corner, we would usually be kicking off the start of the NBA and NHL post-season and welcoming the MLB and NASCAR regular season, but instead, we are left to hope next year’s seasons will not be affected. 

Many Greylock sports teams are also coming to recognize the harsh reality that they too will likely miss out on their spring sports season. As with everything else, the return of professional sports is completely speculation at this point, as there is no real time table for us to follow. I

In some cases, athletes were directly affected by the virus. Basketball players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz were both infected by the virus early on in its sweep of the US. On March 17th, Kevin Durant also announced that he tested positive for the virus.

Though much of the sports news seems bleak, some fans and professional players can find solace in events that have been adjusted for the current situation For example, the NFL Draft will still be taking place from April 23-25; however, the league is doing so remotely to stop the spread of the virus. Other athletes from professional leagues have also taken to the virtual sports world to continue their competition and to entertain the fans. The NBA recently put on a 2K virtual tournament, in which 16 players competed as themselves and their teams for a $100,000 prize to a charity in support of Coronavirus relief. Devin Booker, point guard for the Phoenix Suns, put up a strong performance throughout the tournament, eventually winning the competition.

Tournaments prizes are not the only way athletes are getting involved in providing aid to combat the Coronavirus. From tennis player Roger Federer to basketball phenom Zion Williamson, many  are donating to cover arena worker’s wages and providing meals and funding to families in need. 

Athletes around in every sport are hoping for a speedy end to the virus, so they can get back in action and provide the world with the entertainment it loves.