Mims looks at the AGA, NBA, NCAA and COVID-19: The Week that changed sports
The American Gaming Association was scheduled to have its 2nd Sports Betting Executive Summit today near Washington D.C. at the MGM Grand National Harbor. Due to the threat of the Coronavirus, the difficult but prudent decision was made to postpone the conference to a date to be determined. Safety is of the utmost concern to the AGA and all those affiliated with this conference. Many of the organizations that were slated to attend or be in panel discussions have closed their venues for extended periods to prevent the spread of the virus.
The NBA should be highlighted because they were the first to suspend operations. Their actions made the nation know just how serious COVID-19 was. It was unfortunate that three players have tested positive, but they responded swiftly to ensure that other players, team associated personnel and fans would be safe. This prompted all the other professional leagues to follow suit. When the NCAA canceled March Madness and all spring related sports, this made this week unprecedented.
So, we are left without that team that would have busted your bracket when a 12-seed would have upset a 5. There will be no cinderella team that makes it to the sweet sixteen and then gets crushed because that second week they can’t sneak up on anybody. There will be no "One Shining Moment" and the watercooler conversation that leads up to it.
I like the suggestion that University of Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma made about allowing any senior that wants to utilize it an extra year of eligibility that the NCAA would cover as a scholarship athlete. This would give that person a chance to live out their dream of playing in a conference and NCAA Tournament for the National Championship. Now that would be a defining moment!
I will let you know when the AGA announces the new date for the Sports Betting Executive Summit. That will be my first visit to MGM National Harbor and I am looking forward to it.