Coronavirus and Sports

The Bundesliga made a much-anticipated return to action, playing games in empty stadiums and adjusting logistics off the field to account for social distancing between coaches and players on the sidelines. The response was generally positive from fans and industry professionals, and now the league has soccer audiences around the world to itself. What can other top tier football leagues, like the Premier League in England or La Liga in Spain, learn from the Bundesliga's return to action? And with few other options for live sports entertainment, can the Bundesliga capitalize on its captive audience? Soccer commentator Keith Costigan breaks down a pivotal moment in the effort to bring back sports from the coronavirus shutdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred had already announced plans to reduce the number of affiliated minor league teams prior to the outbreak of coronavirus. With the pandemic grinding all sports to a halt, minor league baseball finds itself in an even more precarious situation. Sports Illustrated senior editor Jason Schwartz breaks down SI's Daily Cover on what comes next for minor league teams and the communities they help bind together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A summer without Little League baseball would be unfathomable most years. But for the first time in its 73-year history, the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania has been canceled, leaving the status of leagues everywhere in question. Sports Illustrated baseball writer Matthew Martell breaks down the complications that ultimately led to the demise of the 2020 Little League World Series, and the ripple effects of the decision on amateur baseball across the country and around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ESPN's "The Last Dance" has helped fill the sports void as the coronavirus shutdown enters its third month, opening the door for other high-end documentary productions to take the spotlight as well. Los Angeles Lakers point guard Quinn Cook discusses his involvement in "Basketball County: In The Water," a new Showtime documentary produced by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman that pays homage to Prince George's County, a small county in Maryland producing more pro basketball talent than anywhere else in the country. Quinn shares what it means to make a film honoring his hometown and the people who make it special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prior to coronavirus, the gambling industry was preparing for a banner year as various states had begun the process of legalizing sports betting. Now the sports gambling world can only wait and hope for the NFL, NBA, Premier League and other major professional sports organizations to return to action. Sports Illustrated senior writer Greg Bishop returns to the show to discuss what gamblers are doing in the short term to get their fix, how Vegas may actually stand to benefit when sports returns, and how sports gambling could be a solution for states looking to rebound financially after the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professional sports leagues around the world are beginning to entertain the idea of returning to action sooner rather than later. Sports Illustrated senior writer Alex Prewitt breaks down the failed attempt to restart the Chinese Basketball Association, and what it means for former NBA players in the league whose health and safety hang in the balance. Then, ESPN commentator Taylor Twellman and Philadelphia Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya set the scene for MLS, which might be in a rare position to salvage all or most of its 2020 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Siya Kolisi is the captain of the South Africa rugby national team, the first black man to hold that title, and led the team to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final against England. One of the most influential athletes in one of his country's most popular sports, his platform extends far beyond the pitch. Siya discusses the work he and his newly-launched foundation have taken on to combat the crippling effects of coronavirus in South Africa, and adds perspective on what's really important in these times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As parts of the country begin to reopen, MLB eyes a return to action later this summer. What would a shortened 2020 season look like? And could answers lie in professional baseball leagues abroad? Sports Illustrated staff writer Emma Baccellieri shares the latest developments from around MLB. Then, how are professional running events like marathons, cross country and track and field adjusting? Sports Illustrated writer Chris Chavez says even though running is a popular pandemic activity, it's not so simple at the competitive level. Plus, a recap of the weekend's developments around coronavirus and sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Athletes awaiting the return of their sports are finding ways to become involved as their friends, families, and communities grapple with the effects of the coronavirus shutdown. Danielle Kang discusses her efforts to combat an issue close to her heart, and Dalilah Muhammad shares her experience as a role model for young athletes everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As time away from sports gets longer and tougher for athletes, the emotional toll can be just as overwhelming as the physical. Likewise, sports fans lacking the outlet of watching their favorite player, team or season are struggling to find joy during the shutdown. Performance, strategy, and decision advisor Denise Shull works with athletes on crafting their emotional well-being to overcome challenges in their careers. She helps address one of the underlying psychological struggles of the pandemic: how can the broader sports community care for itself emotionally in a time without sports? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A quick recap of the recent developments around coronavirus and sports. The NFL executes a successful virtual 2020 Draft. Top Dutch soccer league Eredivisie officially calls off the remainder of its season. ESPN airs Episodes 3 and 4 of the Michael Jordan docuseries, "The Last Dance." Plus, a look ahead at this week's upcoming episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most American professional athletes, the delays and stoppages brought on by the coronavirus pandemic have created uncertainty within the confines of the broader infrastructure of the American sports industry. But for those athletes whose careers have taken them overseas, the issues at play increase exponentially, Sports Illustrated reporter Priya Desai breaks down the issues facing American athletes navigating the pandemic from across the globe. And professional soccer player Emily Dolan, a goalkeeper with Real Betis Féminas in Sevilla, Spain, shares her experience watching the pandemic unfold in the two communities she calls home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The COVID-19 outbreak has halted just about every aspect of the sports industry, with one notable exception. Esports have been steadily growing in popularity for years, and are now seeing exponential increases in both gamers and viewership on live-streamed events like leagues and tournaments. Carlos Rodriguez, founder of G2 Esports, and decorated esports athlete Fabian Hällsten share their experience in the gaming world, and why esports may be a rare source of community during a global pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a month of speculation, questions about how the 2020 NFL Draft will be executed in a virtual format will be answered during the broadcast of the first round on Thursday, April 23rd. What should fans expect? And are there potential pitfalls that could derail the entire event? Sports Illustrated senior writer Albert Breer breaks down how the league is preparing for a Draft night unlike any other. Then former NFL player and PFF senior analyst Solomon Wilcots weighs in on the impact on players around the league. Plus, an update from the weekend's developments: the WNBA Draft, and the premiere of the highly anticipated Michael Jordan documentary, "The Last Dance." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As sports fans everywhere await the return of their favorite teams and leagues, the sports media industry looks for answers in the short and long term. President of Showtime Sports Stephen Espinoza breaks down how programming, production and development have shifted to meet the needs of an industry in flux. Then Sports Illustrated host Robin Lundberg shares his experience covering the most unique daily sports beat in modern history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices