Virus restrictions cancel tourneys

Las Vegas area professional and amateur sports were affected in varying degrees by Gov. Steve Sisolak’s coronavirus restrictions announced Sunday night.

Sisolak called for a “statewide pause” in reaction to the state’s spike in COVID-19 infections. He made no additional business closures, but beginning at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, among other measures, a stronger mask mandate will take effect, 25 percent capacity will be allowed in businesses, and public gatherings will be limited to 50 people.

Youth and adult sports tournaments also were canceled by the announcement. The biggest of those is the City of Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup Invitational Tournament, a youth soccer tournament that had more than 1,000 teams registered to play during the first two weekends of December.

“We’re clearly disappointed that the only thing that was chosen to be stopped was tournaments,” Mayor’s Cup tournament director Roger Tabor said. “We just don’t understand. We’re still trying to absorb it.”

Tabor last week estimated it would bring about $10 million to $12 million in revenue to the city.

Sisolak’s announcement does not change anything for high school sports, according to NIAA assistant director Donnie Nelson. The NIAA’S plan has been dependent on schools returning to in-person learning, and a timetable for that has yet to be announced.

A UFC official told the Review-journal the organization doesn’t believe the governor’s new order will affect its events. The mixed martial arts company has been hosting televised cards without fans at its Apex facility in Las Vegas since May.

In sports betting, the 1,500-seat Westgate International Theater will restrict its Football Central free NFL viewing party to 50 guests, and the Westgate sportsbook will be limited to 25 percent capacity, Westgate sportsbook vice president Jay Kornegay said.

Officials at sportsbooks for Circa, MGM properties and William Hill said they would make the changes needed to comply.