Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
March 17, 2020 - XFL (XFL)
This past week all the active leagues covered by OurSports Central either suspended or cancelled their seasons due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In other news, the National Women's Soccer League signed an exclusive television deal with CBS Sports and Twitch and Connecticut women's basketball forward Megan Walker decided to forgo her senior season and enter the WNBA draft. Highlights from this week are from the XFL, National Lacrosse League, National Women's Soccer League, NBA G League, Women's National Basketball Association and Major League Rugby.
FOOTBALL
XFL
Currently, the XFL will not be playing its regular season games. However, all players will be paid their base pay and benefits for the 2020 regular season. All XFL ticket holders will be issued refunds or credit toward future games. The XFL is committed to playing a full season in 2021 and future years.
A player for the Seattle Dragons has tested positive for COVID-19. The player participated in the March 7 game against the Roughnecks in Houston and was asymptomatic at that time. He self-reported to team medical staff on March 10 and has been in quarantine since. A test was administered as early as possible, with the results received March 13.
St. Louis BattleHawks head coach Jonathan Hayes talks about the season.
ESPN's Mike Golic Jr.'s thoughts on the XFL cancelling its season.
#ForTheLoveOfFootball @xfl2020 @OTLonESPN pic.twitter.com/uycbLzIEAY
â Mike Golic Jr (@MGolicJR57) March 14, 2020
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
In response to the coronavirus pandemic and following the NBA's announcement that it is suspending game play, the NBA G League has also suspended the 2019-20 season.
Top Plays of the Week.
Top Dunks of the Week.
BIG3
Out of an abundance of caution, six weeks of the 2020 summer season are being moved to an intimate, controlled Los Angeles venue to be announced to ensure the safety of our players, coaches, and fans. Dates presently being promoted, marketed and on presale -June 20 (Memphis), June 27 (New York), and August 22 (Portland) - are scheduled to currently go on as planned with BIG3 working collaboratively with local and federal health officials
National Basketball League of Canada
The National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) board of directors announces that the league will be suspending basketball operations until further notice as a result of concerns regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
Women's National Basketball Association
UConn forward Megan Walker has decided to forgo her senior season and enter the WNBA draft. Walker led the Huskies in scoring, averaging 19.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
The junior is the first UConn women's player to leave after three years.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
With the health and safety of our players, officials, staff and fans of primary importance, the American Hockey League has announced the suspension of play until further notice, effective immediately, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
ECHL
The ECHL Board of Governors approved the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 Season.
Southern Professional Hockey League
Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League Commissioner Ron Robison announced today the 2019-20 WHL season will be paused until further notice. Following consultation with medical professionals and meetings with the CHL Board of Directors, it was determined that all hockey activity in the WHL will be paused until further notice.
National Women's Hockey League
The NWHL announced today that the 2020 Isobel Cup Final between the Boston Pride and Minnesota Whitecaps scheduled for Friday, March 13 at Warrior Ice Arena has been postponed. At the appropriate time, the NWHL, Pride and Whitecaps will reschedule the Isobel Cup Final for a later date in Boston.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer has suspended match play for 30 days, effective immediately, as the league continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 with its medical task force and public health officials. At the appropriate time, the league and clubs will communicate plans for the continuation of the 2020 season and update the status of league events.
National Women's Soccer League
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced landmark, multi-year media rights agreements, in which CBS Sports and Twitch have acquired the rights to exclusively present all NWSL matches for the next three years, beginning with the upcoming 2020 season. CBS Sports will deliver a total of 87 NWSL matches in 2020 across CBS, CBS Sports Network, and CBS All Access, CBS's subscription video on demand and live streaming service.
The National Women's Soccer League season will be coming soon to those platforms.
The National Women's Soccer League cancelled its preseason.
United Soccer League Championship
Major Arena Soccer League
The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) has decided to end the 2019-2020 regular season effective immediately. The league's Board of Directors voted unanimously this afternoon to act in the best interests of the players, staff and fans of the league. The MASL will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on the league and the status of league events at a later date.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League has determined that it is in the best interests of our fans, our players, our coaches and our staff to temporarily suspend play until further notice due to concerns over COVID-19.
A message from NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz
Toronto Rock Challen Rogers with a laser to create space
BASEBALL
Minor League Baseball
Statement from Minor League Baseball
"In light of the current coronavirus outbreak, and after consultation with medical professionals and our partners at Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball will delay the start of the 2020 Championship Season. We will continue to monitor the developments and will announce additional information about the 2020 season at a later date. We will work with Major League Baseball and our community partners to resume play as soon as it is safe to do so. The health and safety of Minor League Baseball fans, players and executives is our top priority, and our thoughts are with those around the world who have been affected by this outbreak."
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
Major League Rugby (MLR) has suspended all matches for 30 days, effective immediately, to assess the impact of COVID-19. The MLR will use this time to determine next steps in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.
Week 5 - Top 5 Tries - 1. Danny Tusitala of Old Glory DC 2. Joshua Furno of San Diego Legion 3. John Poland of the New England Free Jacks 4. Gaston Mieres of the Toronto Arrows 5. Tira Patterson of San Diego Legion
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
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XFL Stories from March 17, 2020
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
