Tag: Gavin Newsom

Turns out the Kings’ “donation” of …

Turns out the Kings’ “donation” of Sleep Train Arena, the team’s home in Natomas until 2016, wasn’t really a gift at all, despite it being widely reported that way. Taxpayers are paying the Kings $500,000 a month for use of the facility for three months. The expenses are detailed in a state contract The Bee obtained after filing a request under the California Public Records Act with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Office of Emergency Services.

No mention of the financial arrangement …

No mention of the financial arrangement was made on April 6, when Newsom stood on the empty floor of the Kings’ former home and praised Ranadivé for his generosity for opening up the arena and for other donations through the Kings’ charitable foundation, which included 100,000 masks. “We wouldn’t be here without him and without his support,” Newsom said. “It’s just an example of people all stepping in to meet this moment head-on.”

Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for Cal …

Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for Cal OES, said Friday there was no intent to deceive the public about the contract between the Kings and the state. The arrangement with the Kings “is consistent with what’s being done at the other sites,” Ferguson said. “We are paying a consistent rate at all the alternative (hospital) sites.” He added that the Kings have made available the team’s old practice facility, a separate building next to Sleep Train, at no charge. If the temporary hospital at the Sleep Train complex were fully occupied, the rate “would work out to $41 per night per guest, which for hospital care is a pretty nice price,” he added.

PGA Championship still on for August and will happen without fans if it comes to it

The PGA of America is determined to stage the 2020 PGA Championship and will do so without fans if it comes down to it. Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, was a guest on SiriusXM PGA Tour radio on Tuesday and discussed the plans to stage the …

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The PGA of America is determined to stage the 2020 PGA Championship and will do so without fans if it comes down to it.

Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, was a guest on SiriusXM PGA Tour radio on Tuesday and discussed the plans to stage the major championship this year.

“August feels pretty good to us,” he said.

The PGA Championship was originally set for May 14-17 but it was postponed to Aug. 6-9. It is keeping its current location at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco but Waugh admitted that could change, too.

It was one week ago that golf’s governing bodies made a slew of schedule announcements, including new PGA dates, new dates for the Masters and the U.S. Open and the cancellation of the Open Championship.

Waugh said if they need to keep Harding Park free of fans, that’s what will happen.

“Our plan is to try and do it as normally as possible, with fans, obviously, and have a fairly normal PGA Championship at Harding Park,” he said. “If the safest way – or the only way to do it – is to do it without fans, we’re fully prepared to do that.

“We believe that having it as a television event is worth doing regardless of whether there’s fans there or not. Obviously that’ll change the experience but we think the world is starved for some entertainment, and particularly in sports. We think golf has a unique ability to be first out in sports, in that we’re played over a couple hundred acres and naturally have social distancing.”

Waugh added that there are three plans right now.

“Plan A is with fans. Plan B is without fans and Plan C is – if San Francisco or California does not think they could hold it – figure out if there is somewhere in the country that could hold it.”

On Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom cast doubt that sporting events with fans could return this summer.

“The prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and get to a vaccine.”

If TPC Harding Park loses the 2020 PGA Championship, the next open spot on the list of future venues is 2025, with 2030 also open at this time.

“We’re going to do everything we can to play the PGA Championship this year,” Waugh said.

Dana White caves to intense pressure, calls off UFC 249

Dana White backed off his efforts to stage UFC 249 on Native American land April 18 as a result of pressure TV executives and politicians.

Any boxing promoters thinking about emulating Dana White, who has been determined to keep his sport going during the coronavirus pandemic, should forget it.

The head of UFC gave up on his efforts to stage UFC 249 on April 18 on Native American land in central California under pressure from broadcast partner ESPN and parent company Disney, which obviously had no interest in televising the event. And future UFC events reportedly have been postponed indefinitely.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed concerns over the event to Disney, according to The New York Times. And officials at Disney contacted White.

ESPN issued a statement that read: “ESPN has been in constant contact with the U.F.C. regarding U.F.C. 249. Nobody wants to see sports return more than we do, but we didn’t feel this was the right time for a variety of reasons. ESPN expressed its concerns to the U.F.C. and they understood.”

White’s plan was to stage the card, originally scheduled for Brooklyn, without spectators.The main event was scheduled to be Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje after Khabib Nurmagomedov pulled out.

White told ESPN only days ago that he is “going to continue to pump fights out” in spite of widespread lock downs. He ultimately planned to showcase his product on an undisclosed private island, an idea that many people found fascinating.

And then the counter pressure proved to be too much.

“The powers that be there asked me to stand down and not do this event next Saturday,” White said.

He went on: “These are people that I am partners with, people whom I have a lot of respect with, and I’m going to do it, I’m going to say yes [to requests to postpone the April 18 card].”

ESPN reported that all other scheduled UFC events also have been postponed.

 

 

 

California cancels all combat sports events through end of May

The California State Athletic Commission has banned all combat sports events through the end of May because of the coronavirus threat.

The California State Athletic Commission has banned all combat sports events through the end of May because of the coronavirus threat.

The Department of Consumer Affairs made the announcement on Thursday.

“The Commission didn’t take this decision lightly and understands the potential economic loss to promoters and the industry of combative sports,” the statement said.

“We had to weigh the best interest of our fighters and the community around us.”

The decision was based on guidelines established by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health “to protect Californians against the possible spread of COVID-19,” according to the press release.

Junior welterweight titleholder Jose Ramriez’s defense against Viktor Postol, which was canceled and then rescheduled for May 9 in Fresno, California, was canceled again this past Tuesday.

California cancels all cards in March; Kirkland vs. Hernandez postponed

California has canceled all combat sports cards until at least the end of March as a result of the coronavirus threat.

The growing coronavirus threat continues to force cancellations and postponements, including boxing in California throughout at least the end of March.

The California State Athletic Commission told all the state’s promoters that boxing and mixed martial arts cards have been banned through March 31 because of the virus, also called COVID-19.

“This morning, we were informed by the California State Athletic Commission that all combative sports events have been canceled for the month of March due to concerns regarding COVID-19,” Golden Boy Promotion Chairman Oscar De La Hoya said in a statement. “Therefore, our March 19 and March 28 events at Avalon Hollywood and the Forum, respectively, have officially been postponed.

“We will work with state and local officials as well as our venue and broadcast partners to determine the best course of action with respect to these and other upcoming events, both in California and elsewhere.”

“The health and safety of our fighters, fans, employees, officials and partners is of the utmost importance to us, and we thank them for their support and understanding during this time. We will communicate further plans when the time is appropriate.”

Golden Boy welterweight prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. was scheduled to face Samuel Vargas on March 28 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Golden Boy also had scheduled a card for March 19 at the Avalon Hollywood club featuring featherweight Joet Gonzalez against Chris Avalos.

It wasn’t clear Thursday when either would be re-scheduled. According to the statement, people who already purchased tickets, at the box office or on line, can get refunds.

The decision to ban boxing and MMA for the rest of the month was based on a directive from California Governor Gavin Newsom. In a statement, the CSAC said:

“Based on guidance issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to protect Californians against the possible spread of COVID-19, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) is canceling all events through March 31. CSAC will use this period to determine the next steps for moving forward with future events.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued guidance that certain types of gatherings be postponed or canceled in March to protect public health and slow the rate of COVID-19 transmission. The recommendation applies to all nonessential professional, social, and community gatherings.”

At least two other cards were scheduled for March in California. A six-rounder between middleweights Quillisto Madera and Alexis Gaytan was scheduled for March 21 in Stockton. A Tom Loeffler-promoted card featuring Brian Ceballo vs. Brian Jones was scheduled for March 29 at The Avalon.

Across the country, a card featuring James Kirkland vs. Marcos Hernandez scheduled for Saturday in Maryland also was postponed because of the virus threat.

“In the interest of public health and after reviewing the current information on COVID-19, we have decided the best course of action is to postpone Saturday’s event,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “We understand how disappointing this is to boxing fans and regret any inconvenience.”

All ticket orders will be refunded.

Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife, …

Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, issued a statement Sunday afternoon. “We mourn the tragic and untimely death of a California icon and basketball legend, Kobe Bryant. In his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, he made history with raw talent and unparalleled dedication that raised the bar and paved the way for a newer generation of players,” the statement said.