This was supposed to be a Selection Sunday heavy Weekly Review. However, nearly every sporting event in the United States was recently cancelled or postponed. With COVID-19 concerns disrupting various aspects of our lives.

Amid the uncertainty produced by the COVID-19 outbreak. Sports leagues at all levels have been scrambling to deal with the impact. The NCAA Tournament was cancelled last Thursday. After nearly every conference tournament that wasn’t already completed was cancelled. Part of a 24-48 hour span where various events were cancelled or postponed.

Weighing the risks vs. the rewards was a key factor here. In deciding whether or not to cancel or postpone events. For example, having the NCAA Tournament go forward or not carried varying risks. The NCAA was still going to generate massive revenue with empty arenas. Just through the revenue generated through television advertising.

Cancelling the tournament entirely rips away millions in revenue for colleges and universities. While leaving the networks that broadcast the tournament scrambling. In the end, the rewards were all economically-based. While there were both financial and health-related risks to consider. That’s the case for all sports leagues and organizations.

Major League Baseball could have their season go forward with no live audience. Since attendance for games is typically low before the school year ends anyway. Opening Day is an entirely different story; especially for the Cincinnati Reds. Seas of humanity flood downtown Cincinnati on Opening Day. The exact opposite of the social distancing that health officials are recommending.

While the amount of sporting events being cancelled or postponed is jarring. In the grand scheme of things, there are always more important things than sports. This pandemic is disrupting far more important things. The NBA and NHL can move straight into their playoffs if needed. They were roughly a month away from starting anyway. Major League Soccer and MLB could have more condensed regular seasons. Given that their regular seasons stretch out for several months.

Events of note that did happen last week

There were several sporting events that did happen last week. Northern Kentucky Basketball won the Horizon League’s Men’s Basketball Tournament. Winning their third title in a four year span. Beating UIC Basketball in the championship game last Tuesday. NKU earned a bye into the tournament’s semi-finals as the No.2 seed. Beating Green Bay Basketball in last Monday’s semi-finals in Indianapolis. While UIC upset top seed Wright State Basketball hours earlier.

Elsewhere locally, Xavier Basketball lost in the Big East Tournament’s first round. Losing to DePaul Basketball on Wednesday night in New York City. Xavier wrapped up their season with a three game losing streak. Xavier’s game was the last completed Big East Tournament game. With the rest of the tournament being cancelled less than 24 hours later.

In Cincinnati Bengals news, the team released left tackle Cordy Glenn. Wrapping up an injury-plagued two year tenure with the team. While the NFL Player’s Association agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement on Sunday. Under the new CBA, the playoffs would expand from 12 to 14 teams. While the regular season is set to be expanded from 16 to 17 games.

For future reference

Despite life as we know it being halted in varying ways. Cincy Sports Journal is still pressing onward with posts at least once a week. While there won’t be any games to cover for a while. There’s still plenty to cover on the Cincinnati sports beat. This situation is prompting many interesting sports-related questions to ponder.

Finally, in the midst of this social physical distancing. Let’s all do what we can to avoid becoming emotionally distant from others. Especially our neighbors, loved ones and people in need.