Coronavirus: NBA, NHL, MLB and the Masters Suspended

America has put its major sporting events on hold as a result of the ongoing spread of the coronavirus across the country.

The NBA decided on Thursday to suspend it’s season after Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus. The NHL and the MLS have since announced a 30-day stoppage of their current campaigns.

The 2020 MLB season, which was scheduled to begin on the 26th of March, has followed suit and delayed the beginning of the campaign by at least two weeks. Clearly all of these stoppages could be extended as the country looks to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and further delays, or even cancellations, seem inevitable.

Golf’s first Major event of the season, The Masters, has also been hit by the spread and will now be postponed from his stated start date of April 9th.

Utah Jazz’s Gobert has reacted to his diagnosis via Instagram, stating;

“I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis, mostly fear, anxiety and embarrassment.”

Prior to his diagnosis Gobert had jokingly touched all reporters’ microphones at a pre-match press conference.

“The first and most important thing is I would like to apologise to the people I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse” Gobert added.

As a result of the outbreak the NCAA also announced the cancellation of March Madness, with all college basketball for the foreseeable future.

As of Friday morning, 1700 presumptive or confirmed cases have been reported in the U.S and the death toll stands at 41.