HAMMERED BY COVID, NCAA REVENUE FALLS BY $600 MILLION
The coronavirus pandemic fueled a $600 million plunge in the NCAA’s revenues during its most recent fiscal year, a staggering indication of how the virus forced a financial reckoning throughout a college sports industry.
The decision in March to cancel the men’s national basketball tournament cost the association $702 million in television and marketing rights, NCAA board members were told during a video call this month. And although the NCAA recouped some $270 million through insurance and spent about $473 million less, the association still posted a loss of nearly $56 million during the fiscal year that ended in August, meeting minutes show. The NCAA had planned to distribute $600 million to its Division I conferences last year but ultimately paid out less than half of that.
NBA all star game may benefit historically Black colleges.
The NBA, the National Basketball Players Association and representatives from historically Black institutions met Monday to discuss how a possible All-Star Game this year could benefit HBCUs as well as COVID-19 relief efforts, said a person with direct knowledge of the conversation.
Clippers stars out.
The Los Angeles Clippers ruled out Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta in accordance with the league’s health and safety protocols.
Two female referees work NBA game.
Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder made up two-thirds of the crew assigned to the Charlotte at Orlando game, the first time in NBA history that two women were assigned to work a regular-season contest together. Sean Wright was picked to be crew chief, Sago the referee and Schroeder the umpire.
Brantley staying with Astros.
HOUSTON» An erroneous report saying Michael Brantley had agreed to a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays had the outfielder fielding goodbye texts from his Houston Astros teammates most of Wednesday morning.
Later they were welcoming him back after he agreed to a $32 million, two-year contract with the Astros.
Chelsea fires Lampard.
After just 18 months in charge, and five losses in the last eight English Premier League games, Chelsea star and novice coach Frank Lampard was fired on Monday.
CDC does paper on NFL COVID efforts.
The NFL partnered with the Centers for Disease Control to share its extensive work to reach the Super Bowl on time during a pandemic-altered season, hoping the general public can learn from its findings.
Saban adds Marrone.
TUS CA LOOSA, A L A.» Alabama coach Nick Saban announced Monday the hiring of ex-Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone to coach the offensive line. Marrone joins new offensive coordinator and former Houston Texans and Penn State coach Bill O’Brien.
Bryant will try CFL.
Martavis Bryant, the former Steelers and Raiders wide receiver suspended multiple times by the NFL for substance abuse violations, signed with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.
Video of Kraft to be destroyed.
FORT LAUDERDA LE, FLA.» A federal judge in Florida has ordered the destruction of video that allegedly shows New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft paying for massage parlor sex, according to court documents.
2022 PGA Championship moved to Tulsa.
The 2022 PGA Championship, which was withdrawn from Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, days after a mob incited by then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in a riot that resulted in the deaths of five people, has been awarded to the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.