COVID-19 has caused the quarantine of most American citizens and has forced the postponement or cancellation of all major sports leagues in the USA. Recent comments from Dr. Anothony Fauci, President Trump’s Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, suggest that sports could return as soon as mid-summer, but there are some stipulations.
There’s likely nothing that could provide the sort of relief to society that could be offered by the return of live sports competition on television. Dr. Fauci said that this is a real possibility as long as there are no fans in attendance to witness these contests.
There are also considerations that must be made for the athletes and coaches involved in the competitions. Adequate measures must be taken to ensure the continued well-being of those involved, and that will include maintaining separation, sanitary travel and living conditions, and routine testing, according to the Bleacher Report.
“There’s a way of [returning to sports this summer]. Nobody comes to the stadium. Put [the participating athletes, staff and production crew] in big hotels, wherever you want to play, keep them very well surveilled. Have them tested every single week and make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family and just let them play the season out.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci – Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Despite the confidence that members on both sides of the aisle have expressed toward Fauci and his efforts, President Trump recently retweeted a post suggesting that the doctor should be fired. Oddsmakers were quick to pounce on that information and have now offered a betting line on whether Fauci will indeed be terminated by Trump. It would appear that his job is safe for now.
Will Trump Fire Dr. Fauci?
- No -3300
- Yes +1200
President Trump has organized a response team to assist in creating a strategy for sports to return sooner than later. This panel includes the following sports heavyweights:
- Gary Bettman – NHL Commissioner
- Mark Cuban – Owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks
- Roger Goodell – NFL Commissioner
- Jerry Jones – Owner of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys
- Lesa France Kennedy – CEO of NASCAR
- Robert Kraft – Owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots
- Rob Manfred – MLB Commissioner
- Jay Monahan – PGA Tour Commissioner
- Adam Silver – NBA Commissioner
- Dana White – UFC President
The impressive list of sports executives includes many allies of the President, but one name is a surprise. Mark Cuban and Trump have been at odds in the past and both have been critical of each other in the press.
Perhaps Trump’s extended reach across the aisle in Cuban’s direction is an indicator of how desperate the Coronavirus situation really is. As long as the result is the continuation of live sports, fans and top US sportsbooks alike will be thrilled with the prospect of focusing on new activity.
There is nothing set in stone just yet, but there have been whispers leaked of plans for all Major League Baseball teams to converge upon a single location in Arizona and play their games with no fans present. The NBA has yet to discover a reasonable solution for a return to play but they are developing a plan. The NFL is conducting its annual draft virtually. The show must go on.
The state of US gambling online has been in flux since the COVID-19 shutdown, with gambling sites forced to get creative to keep betting lines fresh and enticing. Legal online sports betting has seen an emergence of entertainment odds, with lines offered on reality television and professional wrestling.
Now, with Dr. Fauci’s inspiring words, fans can at least sustain the hope that their beloved sports will return soon, even it if is amid the practice of social-distancing and curfews. The best mobile sportsbooks will offer bettors a much-needed reprieve if Trump and his team of advisors can devise a reasonable plan that will allow the major sports leagues to commence play.