NHL closes locker room access for media due to coronavirus

soxhop411

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View: https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1236355989580001280

“@FriedgeHNIC: Starting today, @NHL will close dressing rooms to media, on recommendation of Centers for Disease Control (@CDCgov) in effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. NBA, MLB + MLS are expected to follow. Media availabilities will be conducted in formal press conference area.”

this is just the start. And I wouldn’t be shocked if we eventually get to the point where games are being played in empty arenas
 

MiracleOfO2704

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To follow up, FriedmanChris Johnston included the league's contingency plans in case CoVid-19 becomes an issue during the playoffs during Headlines, with three tiers of readiness:

-The league wants arena availability into late April for the playoff teams in case they need to cancel games and reschedule.

-They're also exploring the possibility of neutral site games if regional outbreaks seal off large areas.

-Worst case, they'll explore holding playoff games behind closed doors.

Headlines segment is here, but I'm not sure if it's nation-blocked.
 

The Mort Report

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To follow up, FriedmanChris Johnston included the league's contingency plans in case CoVid-19 becomes an issue during the playoffs during Headlines, with three tiers of readiness:

-The league wants arena availability into late April for the playoff teams in case they need to cancel games and reschedule.

-They're also exploring the possibility of neutral site games if regional outbreaks seal off large areas.

-Worst case, they'll explore holding playoff games behind closed doors.

Headlines segment is here, but I'm not sure if it's nation-blocked.
I couldn't imagine watching an NHL game without the crowd. Its such a huge part for both the team and viewing experience
 

tonyandpals

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Will be interesting to see what the Sharks do.
Family coming in from NC the game here Saturday. Glad to be in the sportsdeck where you aren't on top of each other.
Though the pregame fist bump line for the kids may be in jeopardy.
 

McDrew

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If they don't play in front of fans, Joe Thornton gets no "goodbye" game. What a dick-punch to end the career if this is it.
 

tonyandpals

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High five tunnell and pregame bench coach experiences have been cancelled for the rest of the season.
 

MiracleOfO2704

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It's official now, no fans at Sharks games until at least April.

All three San Jose Sharks games (March 19 vs. Montreal, March 21 vs. Boston and March 29 vs. Arizona) will be played as scheduled at SAP Center but will be closed to the general public.
Admission to games will be limited to home and visiting club personnel, approved credentialed media and broadcast partners, essential club and arena staff, and NHL officials.
Considering the current trend, I can't imagine they'll have fans in April either. Columbus will also play behind closed doors for as long as the Ohio government bans mass public gatherings.

Now, here's a good question: what does this do for the cap? I'd have to imagine ticket sales count as HRR, and clubs are about to lose a bit of that revenue to refunds and credits.
 

veritas

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I dunno, empty stadiums sounds entirely reasonable to me. Is an off-season professional athlete lifestyle less likely to spread a virus? I wouldn't necessarily think so. It's not like they're traveling on commercial airlines.
 

PedroSpecialK

Comes at you like a tornado of hair and the NHL sa
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Reasonable enough for tonight I guess? Get roasted in the court of public opinion and by the union for putting players needlessly at risk, announce all games suspended tomorrow
 

cshea

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Gobert was in Boston last Friday, Bruins played in the Garden on Saturday. Don’t see how they can proceed with games until this is under control.
 

InstaFace

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playing without spectators after a 2-week suspension is about the only possible reasonable response I can think of other than cancelling the season. Without spectators, the transmission ratio (and risk) probably isn't all that different from any other workplace.

Sanitizing the locker rooms and such seems like an ongoing challenge, but way easier than sanitizing a stadium.
 

cshea

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I hunk the whole league suspends today. There was no rush to do it last night, but it makes the most sense. I go back to Gobert in Boston. The Bruins and Bolts may not have come in direct contact with him but who knows how many event staff and such were in contact with Gobert and then the Bruins/Bolts.
 

steveluck7

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Torey Krug just being flip, or might he have some knowledge?


Torey Krug, leaving Bruins practice, lightheartedly says, “See you in a couple weeks.” Right now, they don’t know if that’s accurate.
 

tonyandpals

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View: https://twitter.com/tdgarden/status/1241363296428724227


What a fucking crock. Nothing for them now. Only if the six games don't get played. They're put them at the level of a fan holding a ticket to the game...well if they play it, you'll get to go (and get paid), but if they cancel it, we'll refund your ticket (pay you for the night).

Maybe the devil is in the details, but nothing about any concerts, Celtics games, MIAA tourney, hockey east, any garden event...

edit: Oh and playoffs? They'll probably get fucking jobbed on that too with some excuse of well we don't know how many games they would have played and we can't just go guessing...christ.
 

Ale Xander

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1.5 million doesn't seem like much either. There's a TON of part-time workers there. The old Jacobsian ethic is back.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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1000 workers (guess) at $200/game each = $200K/game. * 6 games = $1.2 million, so make it 1250 employees for the $1.5 million.

Lots of estimates there, but do you have other info that suggests $1.5 million is leaving folks short on pay?
 

lexrageorge

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I don't understand the criticism. Workers are getting paid for the 6 games canceled. Not sure what else should be done.
 

TheRealness

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No, they're not getting paid for anything right now. No games have been canceled.
Tony is correct. The “If” in there looms large. The NHL paused their season, and those games are not presently cancelled. This means no pay now (when they need it), and will only pay them at some indefinite time assuming the NHL does cancel it.

A tiger doesn’t change his stripes. Jacobs still has the soul of Montgomery Burns.
 

The Napkin

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You're worth 3.2 billion. Give the workers a check regardless. I assure you you can afford it and you might actually get some decent press out of it.

And they sure were able to still charge STHs for next year. Which, you know, raises an interesting question. These guys aren't paid until the game is played so shouldn't we not get charged until the game is played? If that's how it works?
What a fuckface.
 

Haunted

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Undoubtedly, but between the "yeah, maybe some day if they're actually canceled" and the sheer optics, just a horrible look.