NHL to Wrap up Season With 24-Team Playoff
NHL to Wrap up Season With 24-Team Playoff The news was announced by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pro hockey suspended the 2019-20 season on March 12. According to 'USA Today,' the top 12 teams in both the Western and Eastern Conferences have qualified. Seven squads whose records placed them at the bottom of the standings are done for the year. In both conferences, the top four teams automatically head to the next round. To advance, the rest of the qualifying teams will have to play. 'USA Today' adds that proposals see a best-of-five series determining who gets past the opening round. The top four squads will play in-conference round-robin games to decide postseason rankings. In a vote late last week, the new schedule was approved by the NHL Players’ Association. Bettman adds that two cities will host East and West playoff games, respectively. Among the areas being considered for the playoffs are Vancouver, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Toronto.
Ewing out of hospital after being treated for…
Patrick Ewing’s son says the Georgetown basketball coach and former NBA great has been released from the hospital and is recovering from COVID-19 at home
Basketball's EuroLeague cancels season because of…
Europe’s top basketball league has canceled the remainder of its season because of the coronavirus pandemic
Michael Jordan Addresses His Tough Reputation in…
Michael Jordan Addresses His Tough Reputation in 'The Last Dance' In the latest two episodes of ESPN's docuseries, the NBA legend discussed his winning mentality and competitiveness. Michael Jordan, via 'The Last Dance' Jordan's toughness on his Bulls teammates was so grating that coach Phil Jackson would ask him to tone it down at practice. Phil Jackson, via 'The Last Dance' Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Jordan even exchanged punches at one point but quickly made amends. Former teammates Jud Buechler and Will Purdue add that Bulls players were afraid of Jordan and that he "crossed the line" multiple times. According to Chicago guard B.J. Armstrong, Jordan was hard to deal with on a daily basis. Will Purdue, via 'The Last Dance' Jordan explains that he needed his team to play at a certain standard and that winning and leadership "have a price." In an emotional moment, he added that his passion to win and mentality is who he is. Michael Jordan, via 'The Last Dance'
Healthy George Karl starts podcast, may someday…
George Karl hasn’t felt this healthy in 15 or so years
WNBA teams set to make tough decisions on roster…
WNBA teams are making hard decisions this weekend as far as their rosters go
COVID-19 Will Cost the Sports Industry $12…
COVID-19 Will Cost the Sports Industry $12 Billion, Study Says An analysis given to ESPN adds that hundreds of thousands of jobs will be displaced. Should the pandemic cancel NFL and college football schedules this fall, figures say that the economic toll will more than double. Data was provided to ESPN by Patrick Rishe at Washington University in St. Louis and analytics firm Emsi. Rishe's analysis factors in the MLB and MLS playing half of their normal seasons with fans. Predictions include the NHL and NBA having no more regular season games and postseasons without attendance. Come July, youth sports would have to return as well. Data claims that $3.25 billion could be lost on what fans spend at sports games. Stadium and arena employees would lose $371 million in wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, sports are responsible for around 3 million U.S. jobs. $2.2 billion and $2.4 billion will be lost for TV revenue and tourism for youth sports, respectively. A big part of small screen revenue comes from college and pro football. During the regular season, Rishe says TV revenue from each NFL game accounts for nearly $24 million. College Football programs also bring in billions, which in turn helps athletic department budgets. The college industry has already taken a major hit this year with the cancellation of March Madness.
The Latest: Russell wins virtual F1 Monaco GP…
Formula One driver George Russell has won the virtual Monaco Grand Prix on the day the iconic race would have been held
Eddie Sutton, Hall of Fame basketball coach, dies…
Hall of Fame basketball coach Eddie Sutton has died
MLB Suspends Alex Cora for 2020 Season and Docks…
MLB Suspends Alex Cora for 2020 Season and Docks Red Sox Draft Pick Major League Baseball completed its investigation on Wednesday into allegations of illegal sign stealing by the Boston Red Sox. Former manager Alex Cora, who was fired in January for his role in the scandal, was suspended by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred for the upcoming season. Cora's punishment is only for his role in Houston, where he served as bench coach for the Houston Astros during the 2017 season. Manfred said that he does not believe Cora was aware of the sign stealing in 2018 as manager of the Red Sox. Boston's video replay system operator, J.T. Watkins, was suspended without pay for one year for his role. The team was stripped of its second-round draft pick this year. Ron Manfred, via report
NBA says it is talking with Disney about resuming…
The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company on a single-site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July
Mike Conley Defeats Zach LaVine to Win H-O-R-S-E…
Mike Conley Defeats Zach LaVine to Win H-O-R-S-E Championship The Utah Jazz point guard won the title over the Chicago Bulls guard in the championship round on Thursday night. Conley advanced to the final round by eliminating former WNBA star Tamika Catchings on Sunday and former NBA star Chauncey Billups in their semifinal matchup on Thursday. LaVine advanced to the championship after defeating former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce on Sunday and current WNBA star Allie Quigley in their semifinal matchup on Thursday. Conley took down LaVine "H-O" to "H-O-R-S-E" to win the event, which was televised by ESPN. Conley was the only one of eight contestants to play on a home indoor basketball court, and he used his ability to make shots with both his right and left hand to advance. Mike Conley, via statement