Tag: Mike DeWine

Ohio jumps into the name, image, and likeness legislation pool with Governor Mike DeWine’s executive order

Do you agree with this move by DeWine?

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine just leveled the playing field for the state and its college and universities when it comes to the ever-evolving name, image, and likeness debate.

This afternoon, DeWine signed an executive order making it possible for Ohio college athletes to benefit monetarily for their name, image, and likeness. That ability was put in jeopardy because of politics last week when a NIL bill was passed with unanimous bipartisan support through the Senate, only to be hung up when representative Jena Powell added language allowing transgender girls to play boys sports. That led to much debate and chaos about Senate Bill 187.

The executive order signed by DeWine wipes out the controversy and puts NIL front and center for Ohio, joining seven other states that are in the process of implementing their own versions of NIL legislation. Along with the Buckeye State — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas all have laws going into effect on Thursday.

We’re still waiting for when the Executive Order will be effective in Ohio, but it’s at least a step to give Ohio colleges and universities the same abilities as other states.

And off we go …

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine confident in full Ohio Stadium capacity this fall

In a statement provided to the Toledo Blade, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is optimistic that Ohio Stadium will be at full capacity this fall.

In a nod towards things pointed in the right direction with the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine feels confident about Ohio Stadium being at full capacity for Ohio State games this fall. That’s quite a contrast to just 19,180 fans that were able to attend the annual LiFESports spring game.

In a statement provided to Kyle Rowland of the Toledo Blade, DeWine conveyed his confidence that the state will reach such a declining rate of infection that will allow outdoor events to go on without restrictions.

“Last season, most collegiate football conferences had capacity restrictions that were more stringent than state protocols,” DeWine said in the statement. “As a result, last season, it was the conference rules that were setting capacity, as they were more restrictive.

“Currently, Ohio has no capacity limitation for outdoor events. Sporting event organizers do currently have protocols to social distance pods of no more than 10 persons. This is in line with our simplified mitigation protocols focused on distancing and masking (when one cannot socially distance, such as at crowded events like sporting events).

“Ohio has set a benchmark that we will remove COVID mitigation protocols when we drop below high case levels. This will happen when our two-week case rate drops below 50 cases per 100,000 residents. We believe this is likely to happen well before the start of football season, and the CDC echoed that optimism in statements this week.”

This of course is all contingent upon things in Ohio continuing to improve with the COVID-19 pandemic and for all the optimistic (yet real) projections coming to fruition. It also likely depends on the level of vaccination and herd immunity we see not only in Ohio, but Big Ten country and beyond.

No matter how you weigh it though, this is encouraging news.

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine asks schools not allow fans through December for winter sports

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has a simple request for high schools across the state — keep fans out of stands for another month.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has a simple request for high schools across the state — keep fans out of stands for another month.

Some schools across Ohio have paused their winter sports because of COVID-19 spikes in the area. For those that have not suspended their sports, DeWine requested on Tuesday that schools still playing not allow fans to attend.

“For those that have not suspended sports, we would ask you when you conduct winter sports — basketball games, whatever — to do so without fans,” DeWine said, per Cleveland.com. “This is another opportunity for us to pull back. It allows our student-athletes to continue to play, which as a parent or grandparent is the most important thing.”

RELATED: New Jersey pushes winter high school sports to 2021

Ohio is asking schools to adopt this policy through Jan. 1, 2021, when it will be re-evaluated. However, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) followed up DeWine’s request by announcing that parents are still allowed to attend games. Last week, the OHSAA announced its intention to move ahead with the winter sports season as originally scheduled.

“As one superintendent told me today, the idea of bringing 200 adults into our gym at this point during the pandemic with the spread we’re seeing makes no sense,” DeWine said.

October still in play for Ohio State football according to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, AD Gene Smith

During a briefing, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he spoke with Ohio State AD Gene Smith Tuesday, and that October football is still in play

Well, here we go again. The Ohio State and Big Ten football back-and-forth volleys in the media continue, and we’ve got another report of some pretty encouraging news according to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

At his Tuesday news briefing, DeWine was asked whether he thought the Big Ten did the right thing by postponing the fall football season. If there’s been any Governor in the country on the leading edge of conservatism with the coronavirus pandemic, it’s been DeWine. He also is a season ticket holder at Ohio State, so take all of that into consideration for what it’s worth.

“Well, I don’t know if they did the right thing or not,” said DeWine at his coronavirus breifing. “But I certainly think there is a decent chance of there being a season in football for the Big Ten for Ohio State, which is what we’re really concerned about. I talked to Gene Smith about that issue earlier today. I am not going to disclose our conversation other than I inquired about it. He told me that it’s still in play. It’s still very much a possibility.”

Well if that isn’t a salacious quote, I don’t know what is. With all the silence from the Big Ten brass in combination with all the reports coming from all corners of the conference of a shell game going on behind the scenes, it’s clear everything is still in motion.

In fact, just this morning, we had news on the opposite end of despair for many when NBC sports talk show host Dan Patrick cited inside sources claiming that the Big Ten had too much dissension for October football to occur.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announces allowance for fall sports in 2020
USA TODAY Sports

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DeWine went on to express confidence in the protocols and monitoring that Ohio State has in place, even going as far as agreeing that the Buckeyes should be able to play.

“But as you know, it’s no secret, (OSU President) Dr. Johnson’s position and Ohio State’s position was to play. I concurred in that. And look, the key is always going to be how it’s done. And as I have told some people, I don’t know if I’ve said publicly or not — but athletes at Ohio State — with their capability of testing very, very, very frequently, could potentially be the safest people there with a couple things coming together.”

The Governor then wrapped up his inside information by reiterating that the possibility of seeing OSU football in October is nowhere near dead.

“So, we’ll see. I don’t know what is going to happen in regard to the Buckeyes. But I do know that it is still very much in play.”

What will the end result be? Here’s hoping to the safe return of Big Ten and Ohio State football sooner rather than later.

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Up to 6,000 fans will be allowed to attend the 1st two Browns home games

It’s not as many fans as the Haslam’s hoped for but it’s still better than none

It’s official: FirstEnergy Stadium will not be empty when the Cleveland Browns play home games in 2020. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine approved a variance that will allow up to 6,000 fans into the home of the Browns for the first two home dates, with a reevaluation for possible expansion of allowed attendance after that.

The Browns had submitted a proposal that detailed several accommodations for the COVID-19 pandemic for the governor’s approval. That would have allowed up to just under 14,000 fans in the limited stands, but DeWine’s approval sets a strict limit for just 6,000. The first two home dates are Sept. 17th (Thursday night) against the Cincinnati Bengals and Sept. 27th hosting the Washington Football Team.

DeWine hinted during the week that he was hopeful to approve at least some fans in the stands during an appearance on a Cleveland morning news show.

The Bengals will also be allowed to have the same limited attendance figures at Paul Brown Stadium, but not until their Oct. 4th home date with the Jaguars and the visit from the Browns three weeks later.

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine leaves door open for fans in FirstEnergy Stadium

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine leaves door open for fans in FirstEnergy Stadium for Browns games

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine offered some semblance of hope that fans might be allowed into FirstEnergy Stadium for Cleveland Browns games later this fall.

In an interview on “News 5 at 6” on WEWS Channel 5 in Cleveland, DeWine even left the door open for a limited number of fans in the Dawg Pound for Cleveland’s home opener on Sept. 17th against the in-state rival Cincinnati Bengals.

“It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that we can do this on a small scale,” DeWine said.

The Browns submitted the FirstEnergy Stadium Responsible Restart Plan for approval by DeWine in late August. DeWine did not directly reference the specific plan by name but alluded to aspects of the proposal, which include seating in small pods, closed concourses and assigned quadrants of the stadium with limited gate and parking access.

“The Browns have come up, as have the Bengals, with a very good plan. I don’t have any doubt that the Browns can handle fans, a much smaller number of fans but handle them in the stadium,” DeWine said.

The Browns petition for approval includes allowing up to 20 percent of capacity inside FirstEnergy Stadium, which has a seating capacity for Browns games of 67,895. That would permit just under 14,000 fans for game days.

 

Ohio high school football allowed to proceed with fall season

At a press conference on Tuesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that fall sports can proceed in the state for 2020.

Ohio high school sports are still on for the fall — at least for now.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Governor Mike DeWine announced the approval of all high school sports in the fall. It’s a step in the right direction for those that want to proceed forward with high school football and other sports during the coronavirus pandemic. Without a statewide mandate, the decision to play will now fall on individual conferences and schools.

DeWine said he collaborated with many stakeholders in allowing fall sports to proceed — speaking to parents, students, administrators, and medical experts. He did reiterate that the decision to play does not come without risk, however.

“I hope that the desire to have a season will inspire our student-athletes to be as careful as they can 24/7,” DeWine said. “I hope our coaches will use this as an opportunity to focus on helping these young people understand what really is at stake and that if they’re going to be able to play that they’re gonna have to do whatever they can to keep COVID out of their team.”

Additionally, spectators at any games that are played will be extremely limited. Only family members and those who are close to the athlete playing will be allowed to attend. Those decisions will be up to the individual schools.

DeWine also emphasized the need and benefits of playing sports through the concerns of a worldwide pandemic.

“Just as going back to school in person increases the risks, sports – and especially contact sports – does as well. The more spread there is in community and the school, the higher the risk is in the community. On the other hand, we know the importance of sports. Sports matters and makes a difference.”

So, if you are keeping score — and I know you are — young student-athletes in high school are able to play, but college student-athletes with much more stringent monitoring and protocols in place cannot.

We aren’t writing the memo, we are just reading it.

Governor Mike DeWine says he will make announcements relating to sports next week

Governor Mike DeWine said Friday that he and Lt. Governor Jon Husted will make an announcement about sports in Ohio next week.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s bi-weekly (daily a few months ago) briefings have become required watching for many Ohioans. Whether it’s to learn details about COVID-19 spread in Ohio or to hear about potential new restrictions or regulations relating to the virus, or for other reasons, every network carries it.

DeWine has made announcements both popular and unpopular over the months. One of his much-anticipated announcements–by people from all sorts of political and social backgrounds–is about sports. Can youth sports go on? What happens with fans at Browns, Reds, Indians, and other games? And, of course, what will happen with Ohio State football?

Ohio State announced a few months ago that it was hoping to have up to 20,000 fans at football games this fall. Whether that will be feasible, or not, has not been addressed since.

In his briefing Friday (delayed from the usual Thursday due to his presumed false positive test for COVID-19), DeWine didn’t make any announcement about sports. However, he did say that he and Lt. Governor Jon Husted will make announcements about all sports––youth, high school, professional, and college––next week.

What might DeWine say? It’s hard to guess. He has been among the most cautious Governors in the country as it relates to COVID-19 from the very beginning, though he has often preferred to phase-in lockdowns and restrictions rather than bringing them in all at once. Will that apply to football and fans? It’s hard to know.

Ohio’s current COVID-19 outbreak started in mid-June, and cases gradually but continually rose until mid-July before reaching a plateau. With cases at a relatively high plateau (certainly compared to early June levels), it was hard to plan for sports and having fans in the stands.

However, cases in Ohio have recently started to decline precipitously. From last Friday until today (August 7th), the seven-day average of cases dropped from 1,344 to 1,074 per day. That 20% decrease means that infected people are, on average, infecting less than one other person. If that continues, this drop will grow at an exponential rate.

Of course, as Governor DeWine frequently states, how the state responds to the virus is up to people. If they act safely, DeWine notes, then Ohio can “crush” the virus. That was the premise of the #IWantASeason campaign a month ago, and that continues to be the Governor’s message.

I don’t know what Governor DeWine plans to announce next week. But it’s pretty clear that if numbers continue to decline at the current pace, there will be little reason to not allow at least some fans in the stands this fall.

Ohio governor: ‘Highly unlikely’ fans will be in stands for Hall of Fame game

Ohio governor Mike DeWine says it’s ‘highly unlikely’ fans will be in the stands for the Hall of Fame game to kick off the NFL preseason.

The Hall of Fame Game, which kicks off the NFL preseason, could feature an empty stadium this year. The matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys is currently scheduled for Aug. 6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. But with the coronavirus pandemic still sweeping the nation, the annual event could now be held without fans in the stands, according to Ohio governor, Mike DeWine.

“As much as I hate to say this, because we’ve all been looking forward to that and I know how much it means to the Canton area and the Stark County area and, really, across the country, it’s a great, great event that we’ve been looking forward to, [but] having a crowd that size is highly unlikely,” DeWine said Tuesday via WKYC-TV. “Certainly, it could not occur today. It would be very dangerous to do it today.”

The NFL is currently doing everything in its power to reopen team facilities, and while some staff and coaches have been welcomed back, players are not yet able to return. The league and the NFLPA are still working to provide protocols to ensure safety measures and in-person minicamps have been canceled throughout June. Reports also indicate there are discussions to shorten the preseason all together.

“Again, we have to see where we are at that point, but that’s a large crowd, a lot of people together,” DeWine continued. “These are the things that we’ve talked about all the way through this as we open Ohio up and we get back to work and we get back to doing the things that we like, probably the last things that are going to be able to be open are the big crowds, particularly when you have big crowds that are close together. So we have to continue to look at it and make decisions as we move forward, but if the question was, ‘could that even occur today?’ the answer would be, ‘no.’”

This story is continuing to develop.

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Ohio governor Mike DeWine: ‘highly unlikely’ fans will be in the stands for the Hall of Fame game

Ohio governor Mike DeWine: ‘highly unlikely’ fans will be in the stands for the Hall of Fame game in Canton in August

One week after the Pro Football Hall of Fame indicated optimism for having fans in the stands in Fawcett Stadium in Canton for the annual preseason kickoff contest, Ohio governor Mike DeWine all but squashed the idea.

DeWine addressed the idea of having fans attending the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, and his response was not a good sign. His worries over the global coronavirus pandemic remain strong and cautious.

“As much as I hate to say this, because we’ve all been looking forward to that and I know how much it means to the Canton area and the Stark County area and really across the country, it’s a great great event that we’ve been looking forward to, [but ] having a crowd that size is highly unlikely,” DeWine said. “Certainly, it could not occur today. It would be very dangerous to do it today.”

DeWine continued,

“Again, we have to see where we are at that point, but that’s a large crowd, a lot of people together. These are the things that we’ve talked about all the way through this as we open Ohio up and we get back to work and we get back to doing the things that we like, probably the last things that are going to be able to be open are the big crowds, particularly when you have big crowds that are close together. So we have to continue to look at it and make decisions as we move forward, but if the question was, ‘could that even occur today?’ the answer would be, ‘no.’

This casts more of a cloud over the potential to have fans at Browns training camp in Berea, as well as for any preseason games at FirstEnergy Stadium.