Sport vs COVID-19 News Round-Up_28.05.2020
Article by Daniel Cade, Director at SchweryCade.
Changes in the world are currently happening at lightening pace during these unprecedented times. In an effort to keep those within the industry up to date on events and opinions, each week I’m sharing 10 articles that provide insight in relation to Sport’s actions in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To read previous issues of this news update (from mid-March to Mid-April), see my Linkedin posts.
This week, universities denounced as “operating in the realm of bad choices” as the push to reopen the college football season in the US gathers momentum; fan ownership model for clubs recommended as a logical deterrent to future crises in football and rugby in the UK; and women’s sport is seen to have the right credentials to continue its rise to the top in our post-pandemic world.
With or without the say of players, college football moves towards a return
nytimes.com
27.05.2020
As colleges and universities debate whether to reopen for the fall, athletic administrators face one of the thorniest decisions in sports, with millions of dollars and the health of thousands of young people at stake: Should there be a football season?
Remote cheering app could boost atmosphere in Japan’s empty stadiums
theguardian.com
27.05.2020
System allows fans following a match on TV, the radio or online to encourage – or berate – players via their smartphones
Premier League clubs could face criminal liability if players contract coronavirus
inews.co.uk
26.05.2020
i can reveal that under the Health and Safety at Work Act clubs have a duty to provide a safe environment for players to work within, and if it was found that a player had contracted Covid-19 as a result of returning to training and playing their club would be liable.
Fan ownership would give rugby and football clubs stability, says thinktank
theguardian.com
26.05.2020
The leading thinktank Onward has called on the government to encourage fans to take a financial stake in rugby and football clubs in order to create sustainability and offer greater protection during times of crisis. The recommendation is included in a report called A Sporting Chance, which focuses on how professional football below Premier League level, cricket and the two codes of rugby are coping during the coronavirus pandemic.
Spectators urged to use ‘common sense’ when football kicks off next weekend
stuff.co.nz
25.05.2020
The Government announced on Monday it will loosen its restrictions on gathering sizes from 10 to 100 on Friday afternoon, allowing community sport to return. “It is up to people to do the right thing. There’s about to be 150,000 players nationwide re-enter the sports fields and you can’t work any other way than with personal responsibility,” Reid said. To help with contact tracing, Reid said spectators will be asked to scan QR codes upon arrival.
Covid-19 has rocked women’s sport but its future remains bright
theguardian.com
24.05.2020
It undoubtedly helps that a key priority for most governing bodies is to grow their numbers of participants – and the easiest way to do that is through supporting the women’s game. “Strategically it makes sense for them to keep investing in the growth area of a sport,” says Donnelly. “I also don’t get the sense that a massive sponsorship hit is coming either, because many women’s sports are only on the start of that ladder.”
Laurent Petrynka: The coronavirus shutdown has shown that sport is a necessity for many
insidethegames.biz
24.05.2020
As lockdown has ultimately freed up more time, sport has become a more obvious choice, especially as doctors have emphasised its importance for our psychological and physical wellbeing, as well as boosting our immune systems. We must now ensure that this upsurge in engagement in sport lasts beyond the lockdown.
F1 teams agree to introduce budget cap from 2021 onwards
theguardian.com
23.05.2020
The cap is seen as a vital component of ensuring the sport remains sustainable in future and in pursuit of levelling the playing field across the grid, which is currently skewed by major spending differentials. F1 and the FIA have been pursuing a spending cut for some time but the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic pushed the sport to go further than expected.
How sport is helping to shape the smart cities of tomorrow
sportspromedia.com
22.05.2020
Urbanisation will be one of the most powerful forces in shaping the 21st century and even with life in most cities on pause, there are many looking ahead to what will come next. For sport, this could have profound implications.
Why 2020 could be the start of a radical reboot across all sport
independent.co.uk
22.05.2020
2020 could be the start of a radical reboot across all sport, harnessing powerful brand awareness and high levels of trust to fight for a better, healthier and fairer world.