Coronavirus and Sports,..The Effects.

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Rogers Cup women's tournament canceled until 2021

The Rogers Cup women's tennis tournament will not be played this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tennis Canada announced Saturday that the event, scheduled for Aug. 7-16 in Montreal, is off the schedule. Quebec's government announced Friday that no sporting events could be held through Aug. 31, though it left the door slightly open for pro teams. "At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis we were hoping that the situation would be resolved in time to be able to host our tournament as initially planned on the calendar, but we knew that the chances were getting smaller and smaller in recent weeks,'' Montreal tournament director Eugene Lapierre said in a statement. "Our priority in the management of this crisis has always been to ensure the safety and well-being of our players, fans, volunteers, partners and employees. It is thus with a heavy heart that we received this news, but we understand that this decision was necessary.''

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Mother of Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns dies due to complications from coronavirus
In the nearly six-minute video, Towns said that both his mother and father had started to experience symptoms of COVID-19. Towns' father, who also tested positive for the virus and was hospitalized, eventually began to feel better, but Jacqueline continued to struggle.
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Former champion Erik Morales to donate three months' salary to COVID-19 relief in Baja California
Four-time world titleholder Erik Morales will donate three months' salary to be used on groceries for communities in need in his native Baja California during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pulev to donate half of postponed Joshua fight purse to coronavirus medics
The IBF's mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev said he will donate half of his purse from the world heavyweight title fight against Briton Anthony Joshua to help medical workers fight the "devilish" coronavirus. The 38-year-old Bulgarian is expected to earn around $5 million from the fight.
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Kings star Drew Doughty doesn't see NHL season resuming​

Los Angeles Kings defensema Drew Doughty doesn't see how the NHL can complete the 2019-20 season that was paused because of the coronavirus pandemic, even if postponed games are shifted to the middle of the summer. "I don't see how this season is going to return. I really don't," he said on a Monday conference call with reporters. "We have no idea when this virus is going to be over. We're all kind of just sitting at home, just hoping to return to the season or hoping to watch the playoffs return. But we're just sitting here, waiting, working out, being ready to return at any point. "I think the NHL would have to make some kind of decision on that soon, and it seems like it's pretty tough to resume the season or the playoffs."

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The NHL's coronavirus pause: Possible playoff host cities, virtual draft, player concerns and more

It has been 32 days since the NHL hit the pause button on the 2019-20 season, joining a staggering list of cancelltions ans postponements related to the corona virus. As players, execs and fans continue to adjust to the new normal, we will be providing updates every Monday, answering all the burning questions on the various angles of the NHL's relation to the pandemic; although on-ice action remains on the shelf, there have been substantial developments since last week's updates. Get caught up here:

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New playing field for Jackie Robinson Day: Online tributes
Forced from the field by the coronavirus, Major League Baseball is moving its annual celebration of Jackie Robinson online. The Jackie Robinson Foundation is launching a virtual learning hub to coincide with the 73rd anniversary Wednesday of Robinson breaking the major league color barrier.

Robinson broke baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947, for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and his No. 42 was retired throughout the major leagues in 1997 by then-commissioner Bud Selig. An annual Jackie Robinson Day started in 2004. Since 2009, all players, managers and coaches have worn Robinson's No. 42 to mark the day.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci promotes fan-free return for sports
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert and one of the faces of the United States' fight against the coronavirus, says the only way professional sports will happen this summer is by holding events without fans in attendance and by keeping players in hotels.
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Chinese Basketball Association postpones restart until at least July
Sources told ESPN that league officials met overnight to discuss the fate of its season, which has been on hold since Jan. 24, and elected to postpone its schedule again, this time until at least July.
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XFL files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after suspending operations​

The XFL's parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday, the first business day after the league suspended operations and laid off almost all of its employees. The filing, officially made by Alpha Entertainment, listed the XFL with assets and liabilities each in the range of $10 million to $50 million. The largest creditor was listed as the St. Louis Sports Commission at $1.6 million. Seven of the league's eight coaches also are among the top creditors. In a statement, the XFL attributed its decision to the coronavirus pandemic: "The XFL quickly captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people who love football. Unfortunately, as a new enterprise, we were not insulated from the harsh economic impacts and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Accordingly, we have filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. This is a heartbreaking time for many, including our passionate fans, players and staff, and we are thankful to them, our television partners, and the many Americans who rallied to the XFL for the love of football."

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Seattle Sounders owner: MLS could lose billions due to coronavirus
MLS has been shut down since March 12, with its teams just two games into a 34-match regular season. The league has set a return date of May 10, though sources told ESPN on Wednesday that MLS is poised to postpone matches through June 8.
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Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium parking lots are full, and here's why
Major League Baseball is shut down right now, as are virtually sports, because of the coronavirus pandemic. Because rental car companies need a place to stash all the extra vehicles that would normally be out on the roads right now. Most people in L.A. drive everywhere. But these rental cars will probably be staying put for a while longer.

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Cruiserweight bout between Yuniel Dorticos, Mairis Briedis canceled
The organization released this statement: "WBSS is monitoring the developing COVID-19 situation. Under the current circumstances, a feasible date for the WBSS Cruiserweight Final between Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos is out of reach."
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Magic Johnson sees overlap between coronavirus, AIDS crises

For five-time NBA champion Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the parallels between the coronavirus pandemic and the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the early 1990s are apparent. "The same issues we had then, we have now, where bad information, myth about 'it couldn't happen to us in the black community,' not being educated enough about HIV and AIDS," Johnson told ESPN via phone Wednesday morning. "The same thing [is happening] with the coronavirus."

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Saracens ask top earners to defer salaries amid coronavirus crisis

Premiership club Saracens have asked their highest-earning players to defer part of their salaries until the start of the 2020-21 season and placed staff on the British government's furloughing scheme. Players earning more than £75,000 per year will be asked to defer anything above that amount, the club said in a statement on Wednesday. "We understand this is really tough for everyone, but the reality is that the only way to survive this unprecedented situation as a club is to make these adjustments," he said. "The board are very optimistic that this is a short-term issue and are taking steps to secure future funding which will put the club on a very sound financial footing." The amounts deferred will be repaid over an 18-month period from the start of the 2020-21 season.

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