Citing coronavirus concerns, NCAA Tournaments will be closed to fans
March Madness will be fan-less this year.
NCAA president Mark Emmert announced the decision to have limited attendance at the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments this month, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 on Wednesday.
“The NCAA continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel,” Emmert said in a statement. “Based on their advice and my discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance.
“While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States. This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes.
“We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families. Today, we will move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.”
Moody Coliseum in Dallas is scheduled to host a women’s regional. Baylor would have hosted opening rounds.
The Big 12 announced later Wednesday that it will not allow the general public to attend games at its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in Kansas City, Mo., starting Thursday. Fans were allowed to attend Wednesday’s opening two games of the men’s tournament, including the late TCU-Kansas State game.
The American Athletic Conference announced similar ‘limited attendance’ for its inaugural tournament at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena, and Conference USA did too for its remaining tournament games at The Star in Frisco.
“We and the Dickies Arena staff have been monitoring the COVID-19 virus situation in conjunction with local health authorities,” The American commissioner Mike Aresco said in a statement. “Our top priority is always the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, university administrators and personnel, media, event staff and fans.”
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament begins Tuesday with First Four games in Dayton, Ohio. First- and second-round games will take place later in the week in Albany, New York; Spokane, Washington; Greensboro, North Carolina; Omaha, Nebraska; St. Louis; Tampa, Florida; Sacramento, California; and Cleveland.
Regional games will be held in Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Houston and New York, and the Final Four will take place in Atlanta.
The announcement comes as more than 1,100 people in the United States have been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University. There are more than 124,000 cases worldwide.
Emmert made the move following guidance from the NCAA’s COVID-19 advisory panel, which recommended against sporting events open to the public.
CBS Sports’ Seth Davis reported the NCAA Tournament games will still be televised.
Emmert said the NCAA is looking to move the Final Four out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has a capacity of 75,000, the Associated Press’ Ralph Russo reported. The Final Four would stay in Atlanta.
This report includes material from McClatchy wire services.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 4:17 PM.