As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the country and globe, the sports world has faced serious decisions to make when it comes to major events. In Europe, several UEFA Champions League matches were held without fans in empty stadiums. And with March Madness just a week away, the NCAA has finally provided its answer.
The NCAA tournament will go on as scheduled … but without fans.
NCAA president Mark Emmert released a statement on Wednesday, announcing his decision for the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments along with all upcoming championship events. The games will be closed to all fans except “essential staff and limited family attendance.”
NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: https://t.co/GrPbmZx5N6 pic.twitter.com/PFFh9htixR
— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) March 11, 2020
With the increased pressure from health officials, this wasn’t necessarily a surprise on the NCAA’s part. But the idea that March Madness will be played without fans will indeed be different. It will make for some odds scenes across the country and in the Final Four.
College basketball fans had plenty to say about the decision — some had jokes and others offered a more serious perspective.
No fans will be allowed at the NCAA tournament. These are unprecedented times in U.S. sports. https://t.co/NXtZM9xAwP
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) March 11, 2020
The NCAA decision to keep fans from NCAA Tournament games is likely the smart, safe decision, but it’s a devastating blow to the crowd reaction meme industry.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 11, 2020
The NCAA Tournament without fans is going to be insane
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 11, 2020
NCAA Tournament with no fans? I guess the NCAA will see what it’s like to be a college player and ball out on a big stage and not get paid for it. #CashUniversity
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) March 11, 2020
No fans in the NCAA Tournament means we’ll have to manufacture our own crowd shots this year. So if you see a small child or a second chair trombonist crying over a win or a loss, you have an obligation to take their picture and tweet it.
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) March 11, 2020
no fans at March Madness basketball games is sobering marker of how much American life is changing at the moment
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) March 11, 2020
Announcers during March Madness:
“A BUZZER BEATER FOR THE WIN CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!!”The chairs at the arena: pic.twitter.com/JemEps9cLR
— Stephen A. Smith Burner (@SASBurnerAcct) March 11, 2020
No fans allowed in the stadiums during the NCAA tournament literally makes me so sad. March Madness is my favorite time of the year and the fans are half of the reasons the games feel so great to watch.
— Crypt (@CryptTheRapper) March 11, 2020
Unbelievable, but responsible move by the NCAA. Safety first. https://t.co/UQKjvpGexV
— Casual Hoya (@CasualHoya) March 11, 2020
March Madness with no fans. Next domino to fall would be how MLB handles the situation.
On the bright spot, this is incentive to improve watching the games through virtual reality! 🍿 https://t.co/0goc00x5ig
— Benchwarmers and Burners (@theBNBpod) March 11, 2020
I’m not a doctor or anything, but this feels like the right thing to do.
Given that so many schools are moving purely toward online classes, going to be fascinating to see the rationalization of playing the tournament and centering that with amateurism. https://t.co/eFkW8KFjnq
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 11, 2020
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