Almost exactly one year ago, sports in the U.S. went into a complete shutdown amid the coronavirus cases on the Utah Jazz. The NBA season was suspended, March Madness was canceled, Major League Baseball delayed the start of its season.
And as we approach that one-year mark, the pandemic is very much an ongoing crisis, and sports teams have generally adjusted to navigating the pandemic.
But last week, the state of Texas — in direct defiance of the CDC — opted to lift all COVID-19 mask and occupancy restrictions.
It didn’t take long for a professional sports team to use that decision as an opportunity to profit at the expense of public health.
On Wednesday, the Texas Rangers announced that they would open Globe Life Field at full capacity for the season with mask and social-distancing rules (which is obviously not possible in a full stadium).
BREAKING: The Rangers will allow 100 percent occupancy – masks required – at Globe Life Field for opening day the team announces. More to come.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) March 10, 2021
In an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, part owner Neil Leibman said that he didn’t feel opening up a ballpark to 40,518 fans would risk a super-spreader event. He justified that decision as the team being “extremely responsible” while going ahead and not being responsible at all.
We all want COVID to be done with, and the three approved vaccines are being administered by the millions daily. But health officials have urged the public to continue to take safety precautions (masks, avoid travel and large indoor gatherings) in light of variants.
MLB fans were justifiably stunned to see that the Rangers were allowed to actually open the stadium.
This country is absolutely cooked lmfao https://t.co/30eu1Lvx4q
— James (@MPleasing72) March 10, 2021
Hard to imagine 40,000 people in one building in less than a month https://t.co/AnI2gEnKgm
— Jake Garegnani (@JakeGaregnani) March 10, 2021
MLB: let's delay the start of Spring Training and regular season for safer conditions
Also MLB: https://t.co/1fFbM0zR9H
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) March 10, 2021
Great to see how much we've learned in a full year. https://t.co/TvQDKg46a5
— Mitch Goldich đ (@mitchgoldich) March 10, 2021
Most teams are taking a "walk don't run" approach with opening back up to fans – which is why we're seeing limited numbers initially for every other club. They don't want outbreaks to be linked back to games.
Texas Rangers: https://t.co/6Imklrbbfj
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) March 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/Dan_Larsen34/status/1369724836872921092
Come again? https://t.co/6pn6P4NEjO
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) March 10, 2021
This is terrifying. https://t.co/0y7IXF8HAz
— David Clark (@dadeltaclark) March 10, 2021
We wanna be the laughing stock of the MLB so bad:/ https://t.co/G0jzyA2a3F pic.twitter.com/ISjH7RIk4m
— tye (@ttyeb8) March 10, 2021
I need @MLB @Rangers to get their act together https://t.co/Ty26PEqVf3
— AJ (@AJGV_9) March 10, 2021
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