MLB, MLS, NBA and NHL Limiting Access to Locker Rooms Over Coronavirus

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

March 11th, 2020 3:05 PM

Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) will be limited access to all team locker rooms and clubhouses over concerns of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19.)

The four professional sports leagues issued the following joint statement: “After consultation with infection disease and public health experts, and given the issues that can be associated with close contact pre- and post-game settings, all team locker rooms and clubhouses will be open only to players and essential employees of teams and team facilities until further notice. Media access will be maintained in designated locations outside of the locker room and clubhouse setting. These temporary changes will be effective beginning with tomorrow’s games and practices. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and take any further steps necessary to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.”

Whether or not all sporting events will move forward without fans has yet to be confirmed, but the Golden State Warriors announced today (March 11) they will play their next home game without fans present after San Francisco Mayor London Breed banned all public gatherings of 1,000 people or more. Per CNBC, Seattle and its surrounding areas have also banned gatherings of 1,000 people or more. Washington has the highest amount of COVID-19 cases with 267 confirmed.

LIST: Concert Tours and Other Events Affected By Coronavirus Concerns

• Coachella

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  The popular festival pushed back their dates from April to October. In a statement, organizers said, "While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff and community very seriously. We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials."

• Stagecoach

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  The country festival pushed back their dates from March to October. In a statement, organizers said, "While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff and community very seriously. We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials."

• E3

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  The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) officially released a statement on March 11th confirming that E3 2020 is officially canceled.
• SXSW

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  The City of Austin, TX officially canceled SXSW on March 6 marking the first time in 34 years the event was canceled.

• Ultra Music Festival

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  On March 6, the Ultra Music Festival released the following statement: "It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that The City of Miami has issued an official directive requiring that the 22nd edition of Ultra Music Festival, originally scheduled for March 20, 21 and 22, 2020 will be postponed to March 26, 27 and 28, 2021. Due to the Florida Governor’s declaration of a public health emergency and Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s Interim Guidance for COVID-19, it is impossible for the City to provide access to Bayfront Park at this time."

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

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  In a statement released March 11, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo said, "In the interest of public health, the City of Houston and the Houston Health Department have ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ to close. The Rodeo will respectfully and dutifully comply with the City’s order."
• March 15th Democratic debate will be without an audience

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  The March 15th Democratic primary debate between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will not feature a live audience. Per CNN, the decision was made by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) at the request of both Biden and Sanders' campaigns after many health officials have advised people to avoid large gatherings.

• MLB, MLS, NBA and NHL Locker Rooms

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  Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) issued a joint statement on March 9 saying, ""After consultation with infection disease and public health experts, and given the issues that can be associated with close contact pre- and post-game settings, all team locker rooms and clubhouses will be open only to players and essential employees of teams and team facilities until further notice. Media access will be maintained in designated locations outside of the locker room and clubhouse setting. These temporary changes will be effective beginning with tomorrow’s games and practices. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and take any further steps necessary to maintain a safe and welcoming environment."

• Golden State Warrior home games without fans

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  The Golden State Warriors announced today (March 11) they will play their next home game without fans present after San Francisco Mayor London Breed banned all public gatherings of 1,000 people or more.
• ‘The View,’ ‘GMA,’ and ‘Live With Kelly And Ryan’ Filming Without Live Crowd

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  ABC talk shows 'The View,' 'GMA,' And 'Live With Kelly And Ryan', which are all filmed in New York City, will be filming shows without a studio audience. A Walt Disney Television spokesperson told 'The Wrap,' "Given the current developing situation in New York City, we have made the decision to suspend live audiences from attending our news broadcasts and talk shows."

• Pearl Jam

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  Pearl Jam announced on March 9 that their upcoming tour in support of their new album 'Gigaton' would be postponed. In a statement, the band said, "We’ve worked hard with all our management and business associates to find other solutions or options but the levels of risk to our audience and their communities is simply too high for our comfort level. Add to that we also have a unique group of passionate fans who travel far and wide. We’ve always been humbled by this and respect their energies and devotion. However in this case, travel is something to avoid."

• Zac Brown Band

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  Zac Brown Band postponed their spring tour on March 10 and said in a statement, "Out of caution and due to increasing public health concerns, Zac Brown Band is postponing the spring 2020 leg of 'The Owl Tour.' This was an extremely difficult decision, but the well-being of our fans is always our top priority. Rescheduled dates for all spring shows (through Nashville on April 25) will be announced soon. We ask that our fans retain their tickets as they will be honored on the new dates. At this time, our 'Roar With The Lions' Summer 2020 tour dates (commencing in May) will be performed as planned. Thank you for your understanding."
• ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ Filming Without Live Crowd

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  'The Wendy Williams Show' issued the following statement on March 10: "Wendy values her co-hosts and their daily participation, but in the light of the current health climate, 'The Wendy Williams Show' will not have a live studio audience until further notice. We will continue to produce a daily live talk show & look forward to welcoming the studio audience back when the time is right."

• ‘Jeopardy!’, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Filming Without Live Crowd

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  The decision to film both of the long-running game shows sans audience came down on March 9. TMZ first reported the news, and the three reasons for the decision include the following: Alex Trebek has a compromised immune system due to his stage 4 pancreatic cancer treatment; The average audience member for both of these shows is in their 60s, and that age group and older have been deemed vulnerable to the coronavirus; and many of the studio audience members are people from out of town and potentially from areas with widespread coronavirus outbreak.

• Guns N’ Roses

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  Guns N' Roses announced on March 11 that their March 18 show in Costa Rica was postponed "due to direction from the government."
• Green Day

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  Green Day announced on February 28, "We have unfortunately made the difficult decision to postpone our upcoming shows in Asia due to the health + travel concerns with coronavirus. We know it sucks, as we were looking forward to seeing you all, but hold on to your tickets we’ll be announcing the new dates very soon."

• Sammy Hagar

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  Sammy Hagar announced on March 10 canceled his upcoming South American tour with The Circle via the following statement: "The upcoming Sammy Hagar & The Circle shows in South America have been canceled, due to the escalation of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The decision has been made along with the local promoters in order to reduce potential health risks in response to the current global health crisis. If you have any questions regarding refunds contact the local promoter or any of their authorized point of sales where you purchased your ticket(s)."

• KISS Cancels Meet-And-Greets

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  KISS manager Doc McGhee released the following statement on March 9: "Our Meet and Greets have always offered us and you, our fans, a unique opportunity to literally stand shoulder to shoulder together. After many discussions with experts in the field, we have been advised to temporarily cancel these events given the reality that we do this nightly for a hundred or more fans. Shows will continue as scheduled and we look forward to resuming our time with you backstage."
• Bret Michaels’ appearance on The ’80s Cruise

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  Michaels pulled out of his appearance on The '80s Cruise that runs from March 8-15. A statement from Michaels' camp said, "As of Sunday, March 8, 2020 it has been advised by the Centers for Disease Control that cruise ship travel be deferred for those with compromised immune systems.  Bret Michaels, a life long type1 Diabetic, falls under the category of those that run the extreme high risk of contracting this illness.  Even if this illness is not contracted by Bret, he runs the risk of being quarantined on the ship with fellow music fans that might fall ill.  Once again, being a Type 1 Diabetic, this would pose a problem of having enough insulin and supplies on hand for his survival for an undetermined amount of time."

• ‘No Time To Die’

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  The release of the latest James Bond film has been pushed back to November due to the coronavirus. Before the release push back, a number of publicity tours, including ones in China, South Korea and Japan, were canceled once to coronavirus began to spread in that region.

• Slipknot

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  Slipknot announced on March 5, "In light of global health concerns, Slipknot have decided to postpone their upcoming Asian tour, including Knotfest Japan. While decisions like this are not easy, the safety and well-being of the band's fans always comes first. Furthermore in this case, the bands and artists, crew and local employees are also equally effected, and as such, this was the only responsible decision that could be made. Slipknot and Knotfest will both return to Asia very soon. And at such time that everyone can be ensured of the best experience possible."
• Queen + Adam Lambert Postpone May 26th Paris Show

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  On March 6, Queen + Adam Lambert said in a statement, "Unfortunately, our show in Paris has had to be postponed following a government decree in France to cancel all indoor events over 5000 capacity in France until 31st May in an effort to contain the spread of Coronavirus."

• Whitesnake

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  Whitesnake announced on March 5 via their social media channels, "We regret to announce that Whitesnake's Japan Tour which had been scheduled for March has been unavoidably postponed due to the ongoing threat of the Coronavirus. Currently, we are working on rescheduling the dates. Your purchased tickets for the original dates will be valid for the rescheduled dates. Please ensure you keep your tickets safe. For those customers who wish to receive a refund, we will announce details of the refund process once we announce the rescheduled dates. We deeply apologize to all parties concerned especially those customers who bought tickets and have been looking forward to the Whitesnake shows.

• Avril Lavigne

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  Avril Lavigne postponed her upcoming tour of Asia on February 29 telling fans in a statement, "I am so sad to announce that we are unable to tour the Asian markets due to the continuous outbreak of the coronavirus. My band, crew and I have been working so hard to bring this tour worldwide and are completely bummed out. Please everybody take care of yourselves and stay healthy. You're in my thoughts and prayers and we are hoping to announce rescheduled shows soon."

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• 105.9 Kiss-FM
• Beasley Best Community of Caring
• Coronavirus
• Human Interest
• Lifestyle

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Coronavirus,MLB,MLS,NBA,NHL