Coronavirus concerns brought US sports to a screeching halt over the span of 72 hours. From the Ivies to the NCAA Tournament, here’s a timeline of events.
Things began to get rolling at the tail end of last week. South by Southwest music festival was canceled on Friday, March 6. Indian Wells tennis tournament followed suit on Sunday, March. 8. That prequel set up an exhausting three days in sports, and it’s not done yet.
Tuesday, March 10.
10:19 a.m. – The Ivy League cancels its conference tournament.
1:37 p.m. – Ohio Governer Mike Dewine recommends indoor sporting events have no spectators
4:08 p.m. – The SEC, ACC and others announce limited media access to locker rooms for conference tournaments
5:40 p.m. – The MAC bans all fans from attending their conference tournament
6:40 p.m. – College sports writer Dan Wolken urges the cancelation of the NCAA Tournament
9:49 p.m. – Washington Governor Jay Inslee restricts gatherings of more than 250 people, including sporting events
11:50 p.m. – The Seattle Mariners reportedly begin seeking out possibilities to open their season on the road
Wednesday, March 11
11:42 a.m. – The CBI Tournament is canceled
1:10 p.m. – The Golden State Warriors close games to fans, to go into effect on Thursday night against the Brooklyn Nets
1:44 p.m. – Fans officially barred from attending First Four games of NCAA Tournament in Ohio
2:00 p.m. – The Ivy League cancels all spring athletic seasons
3:31 p.m. – The NCAA announces it will limit attendance at the NCAA Tournament
4:24 p.m. – The Michigan Wolverines cancel their spring football game
5:00 p.m. – Juventus defender Daniele Rugani tests positive for coronavirus
5:35 p.m. – Big Ten announces it will not allow fans at their conference tournament, beginning on Thursday
6:58 p.m. – ACC announces it will limit fans from Thursday games
7:14 p.m. – The Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder leave the court minutes before tip-off. The game is delayed.
7:40 p.m. – The Jazz vs Thunder game is postponed. No reason was given.
8:27 p.m. – Jazz player Rudy Gobert tests positive for coronavirus
8:31 p.m. – The NBA suspends their season indefinitely
9:13 p.m. – Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg, who was coaching the game while fighting an illness, leaves the court before it finishes.
9:31 p.m. – Hoiberg is taken from the arena to the hosptial. Nebraska grants no interviews or media availability.
11:45 p.m. – Hoiberg is released from the hospital after being diagnosed with the flu.
Thursday, March 12
8:28 a.m. – ACC commissioner John Swofford says the ACC Tournament will be played as scheduled
9:32 a.m. – ATP suspends tour for six weeks
9:49 a.m. – Jazz star Donovan Mitchell tests positive for coronavirus
9:58 a.m. – The MLS suspends it season
10:25 a.m. – The Washington Redskins become first NFL team to suspend all travel
10:30 p.m. – The National Lacross League suspends play
10:42 a.m. – The AAC Tournament is canceled
10:43 a.m. – The Big Ten Tournament is canceled
10:47 a.m. – The SEC Tournament is canceled
10:59 a.m. – The Big 12 Tournament is canceled
11:00 a.m. – The Conference USA Tournament is canceled
11:03 a.m. – Notre Dame announces the halt of all recruiting activities and spring football practice
11:17 a.m. – The Pac-12 Tournament is canceled and the conference’s athletic competitions are suspended
11:57 a.m. – The Big East cancels its tournament at halftime. It is the last major conference tournament to be canceled.
12:01 p.m. – Conference USA suspends all spring sports
12:15 p.m. – Jeff Passan reports the MLB will suspend operations
12:35 p.m. – The NHL suspends its season
12:37 p.m. – La Liga season suspended two weeks as Real Madrid players are quarantined
12:41 p.m. – USC postpones spring football practices
12:49 p.m. – Duke suspends all athletic activities
12:54 p.m. – Kansas suspends all athletic activities and travel
12:59 p.m. – Arizona suspends all athletic activities
1:29 p.m. – WVU suspends all athletic activities
2:00 p.m. – The ACC suspends all athletic activities
2:09 p.m. – MLB opening day delayed two weeks.
2:31 p.m. – WTA cancels Miami Open and Volvo Car Open
3:16 p.m. – NCAA Tournament canceled
5:28 p.m. – Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta tests positive for coronavirus
6:08 p.m. – Formula 1 cancels Australian Grand Prix
6:16 p.m. – XFL suspends season, announces players will be paid.
9:03 p.m. – PGA Tour suspends THE PLAYERS Championship, including the Valero Texas Open.
