The NBA commissioner clarified the punishment handed down to Rockets star James Harden for violating the COVID-19 protocol.
Adam Silver: James Harden Not Suspended Because Violation Was First Offense — NBC4 Washington
Three more 49ers were added Wednesday to the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list, raising their total to eight players within the past week. The 49ers’ roster already has been depleted by injuries so it will be interesting to see just how many players suit up Saturday against host Arizona. Eight players did not practice Tuesday because…
Coronavirus: Another 49ers’ outbreak appears afoot with eight on COVID-19 reserve list — Red Bluff Daily News
Following the San Francisco 49ers lead, the San Jose Sharks will open training camp and start the regular season in Arizona, a person with knowledge of discussions told The Associated Press.
COVID: San Jose Sharks Appear Ready To Join 49ers In Exodus To Arizona — CBS San Francisco
The National Hockey League and players reached a tentative deal Friday to hold a 56-game season in 2021, pending the approval of each side’s executive board and Canadian health officials. The season would start Jan. 13. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the sides have an agreement, pending the approval of various executive boards. The NHL…
NHL, NHLPA reach tentative agreement, season could start Jan. 13 — East Bay Times
USC men’s basketball will continue its pause of activities following a positive COVID-19 case, the program announced Tuesday. The Trojans’ game Wednesday against San Francisco and their Dec. 23 contest against Texas Southern have been canceled as a result of the pause. USC’s game Sunday at Oregon State has been postponed. That marks four games…
USC men’s basketball calls off next 3 games due to COVID-19 case — Pasadena Star News
TORONTO RAPTORS ANNOUNCE PLANS TO HOST LIMITED NUMBER OF FANS FOR GAMES AT TAMPA’S AMALIE ARENA WITH RIGOROUS NBA AND LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS
Tickets go on sale Thursday at Ticketmaster.com for December 18 pre-season game and first 11 regular-season games
As the Toronto Raptors prepare to play home games for the opening of the 2020-21 NBA season at Tampa’s Amalie Arena, the team announced plans to host a limited number of fans beginning with its pre-season game against the Miami Heat on Friday, December 18. Tickets for the pre-season game, and the first 11 regular-season games, will go on sale Thursday morning, Dec. 17.
Fan attendance protocols will involve extensive health and safety measures, including socially distanced seat availability. There will be fewer than 3,200 seats available for the pre-season game, and 3,800 seats for regular-season games. There will be no floor seats, and no seats sold within 30 feet of the court. Additional measures include: all fans two years of age or older being required to wear a mask for the duration of their time within the venue; enhanced surface and air disinfection systems; physical distancing in the stands and while navigating the venue; a health survey screening for all guests as they enter the facility; cashless payments in the parking lot and for food and beverage services; and bags are prohibited for all Raptors games at the arena.
“In these unique and challenging times, the Raptors are grateful to be able to work closely with the NBA, the Lightning organization and local public health officials to create a safe opportunity for a limited number of fans to take in games,” said Tom McDonald, Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service for MLSE. “As the Raptors call Tampa home for the start of the NBA season, the team looks forward to the opportunity to thank the community for their support while continually emphasizing the important steps required of all of us for a full return of fans when it is safe to do so.”
Tickets for Raptors home games will be sold on Ticketmaster.com starting as low as $30 beginning at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday with the sale of the pre-season game along with the first 11 regular seasons games through to the end of January. As an extended health and safety measure, all tickets will be accessible by mobile only.
“AMALIE Arena is thrilled to play host to the Raptors and the NBA and we are proud of our partnerships with local public health agencies that allows a safe return to live events,” said Steve Griggs, Chief Executive Officer of the Tampa Bay Lightning and AMALIE Arena. “The safety of our guests and our community is our top priority and these rigorous health and safety protocols have been put in place to ensure that our fans’ experience at AMALIE Arena is both safe and enjoyable. We look forward to a safe and successful stay in Tampa for the Raptors.”
The Dallas Mavericks have announced they will begin the 2020-2021 preseason without fans at American Airlines Center, but no decision has been made yet about the regular season.
Dallas Mavericks To Begin Preseason Without Fans At AAC, No Decision Yet On Regular Season — CBS Dallas / Fort Worth
“I think, organizationally, we’ve got to take some of that burden that the NBA took in Orlando.”
COVID-19 will be the ultimate wildcard in NBA season — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Several critical issues remained to be resolved, including how to deal with the surge in COVID-19 cases in North America
Ducks, Kings and rest of NHL inching closer to mid-January return to the ice — Orange County Register
(AP) – Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green and No. 2 overall draft pick James Wiseman are sidelined with the coronavirus. While coach Steve Kerr didn’t actually say the two players had positive results, he made it clear they were the only two to miss practice on Day 1 of training camp Monday. General manager…
Warriors’ Green, Wiseman sidelined with COVID-19 — KRON4
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Komets president Michael Franke has confirmed to WANE-TV that the ECHL has approved the Komets to play this upcoming season starting in February of 2021 as opposed to January as previously planned. The move helps the Komets adhere to local COVID 19 guidelines, as the team had been working with…
Komets start pushed back to February, rivals Cincinnati and Kalamazoo cancel season — WANE 15
The rules apply both when teams are at home and when they are on the road, the NBA said.
NBA Teams That Break COVID Protocols May Lose Games, Draft Picks — CBS Philly
The view from left field 