Hometown Broadcasting Sports Wednesday 7/22/20
22 July 2020 Sports
A total of 95 NFL players have tested positive for the coronavirus thus far. The NFLPA released updated numbers Tuesday, which raised the amount of positive tests from 72 to 95. The NFLPA unveiled initial test numbers last Thursday, where it announced 72 players tested positive for coronavirus. Five days later, that number increased by 23.
The union made daily testing a major priority as training camps prepared to open. On Sunday, a number of prominent NFL players tweeted their concern regarding the league’s safety plans. A last-minute call Monday between the league and union resolved some of those issues. As a result, players will receive daily coronavirus tests for the first two weeks of training camp. At that point, test frequency could change depending on whether there are fewer positive tests among teams.
The NFLPA aggressively pushed for those safety measures to ensure rookies would feel safe at training camp. Rookies were set to report July 21, though at least one team — the Green Bay Packers — pushed that date back. Packers rookies will now report to camp Thursday. For other teams, quarterbacks and injured players will report July 23. All other veteran players will report July 28.
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The NFL Players Association has agreed to the league’s plan to drop all preseason games for the 2020 season. The union also agreed to a 80-player roster limit for training camp, instead of the usual 90. The proposal of eliminating the preseason entirely was made Monday night. Camps are supposed to start a week from today, and financial issues still need to be addressed.
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The Green Bay Packers organization says they’re in good shape to handle these “uncharted waters,” as their finances have not been impacted much by the pandemic during the off-season. Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy released financial information Tuesday ahead of the annual shareholders meeting, which will be held online this year instead of inside Lambeau Field due to health and travel concerns. The team called this the “bounce-back year” after a lot of money was spent on free agents. For the fiscal year that ended March 31, the team had $506.9 million in total revenue. Murphy said that’s the first time total revenue was over $500 million. The team received $21.7 million more from national revenue, an increase of 7.9% over the previous year. Local revenue was up $7.3 million from the year before, or 3.6%. That was helped by higher ticket prices and game day sponsorships. The team says rent from facilities in the Titletown district helped a little bit. Expenses dropped significantly without a frenzy to sign free agents, and team expenses were also down. In all, the Packers saw expenses improve by $40.6 million, or 8.5%, from the previous fiscal year. More information will be shared at the online shareholders meeting Thursday. Instructions to join that meeting were sent directly to shareholders. Murphy said it’s hard to know yet how the coronavirus pandemic is going to affect the team heading into the season. The Packers and the NFL are watching developments of the pandemic closely.
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The NBA’s G League players have formed their own union with the assistance of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the organization announced Tuesday.
The union will temporarily be named the Basketball Players Union (BPU). Approximately 80 percent of G League players voted to authorize the group as its collective bargaining representative. They need more than 50 percent of the players to sign an authorization card to make it happen.
The G League agreed to voluntarily recognize the union and players now have the right to collectively bargain for issues such as salaries, benefits and working conditions as the NBA players do through their union. It will represent players of all G League teams, including on the newly formed Select Team. The Select Team is the one-year developmental program for the NBA that has drawn some of the best prep players in the country. NBA players on assignment with the G League and those on two-way contracts would not be covered. They are already covered by the NBPA. Players reportedly began discussing unionizing in December while at a G League showcase in Las Vegas. They’re reportedly focused on salaries, which average about $35,000, a better benefit package and travel concerns.
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The Green Bay Packers are asking season ticket holders to opt in or opt out of attending games this year during the coronavirus pandemic. The team says reduced capacity is likely. During an interview Tuesday, president/CEO Mark Murphy said the team is preparing for a capacity of 10,000-12,000 fans at Lambeau Field. The team also says there is the possibility there will be no fans at games this season. Conditions may change as the season goes on. The Packers have already announced there will be no fans for training camp, the Family Night scrimmage and any preseason games. Fans are asked to be aware of the following changes during this season:
- Significantly reduced capacity of the stadium due to social distancing parameters.
- Mobile tickets will be used as the primary method for stadium entry.
- Enhanced cleaning measures both on game days and non-game days.
- Hand sanitizer stations present throughout the concourses.
- Face coverings will be required unless you are eating or drinking.
- All concession and merchandise locations will be cashless.
- Food and Beverage sales from the aisles in the general bowl will be discontinued and In-Seat Service will not be available on the Club Level.
- Tailgating may be prohibited within Lambeau Field lots.
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While under quarantine with his family at home, Milwaukee Bucks swingman and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said he didn’t have access to a hoop.
But apparently that wasn’t the case. Antetokounmpo admitted after Tuesday’s practice in Orlando, Florida, that he was just saying that to gain an edge on his peers. “Anybody out there that thought I didn’t have access to a gym, they don’t even know me,” Antetokounmpo said, laughing. “So, I just said that to try to get a little bit ahead of the competition.”
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