‘Uniquely affected’ fans get break from Steelers
Steelers season ticket holders “uniquely affected” by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply to opt out of games this season and receive a credit for next season.
“We established a process to review circumstances to ensure those who have concerns will be handled directly so their season tickets are protected for the 2021 season,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said. “We are not canceling those season ticket holders accounts who have been approved through our process.”
The NFL has said it would like to play games with fans in the stands this season, but the possibility exists that games could be played without fans. The Steelers previously announced they would refund season ticket holders if games are canceled.
More football
Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher and his wife, Veronica, became ill with COVID-19 in March and have since recovered, according to The Athletic.
Colleges
The NCAA’s infractions case against the University of Kansas men’s basketball program has been accepted into a newly created independent investigation process that was created to handle especially complex cases. The Infractions Referral Committee said that the case against the Jayhawks and coach Bill Self would go to the Independent Accountability Resolution Process.
Soccer
The Portland Thorns and the Chicago Red Stars played to a scoreless draw in the group stage of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup tournament in Herriman, Utah. Portland dominated possession and outshot Chicago’s young lineup but couldn’t manage to score in the match played without fans in Herriman, Utah.
• Six players with FC Dallas tested positive for COVID-19 and the team has been quarantined ahead of the MLS Is Back event.
• Arsenal captain PierreEmerick Aubameyang was gifted two goals by Norwich in a 4-0 victory in the Premier League at an empty Emirates Stadium
Baseball
The Chicago White Sox still are playing in Major League Baseball’s “Field of Dreams” game — but the opponent will be different. The St. Louis Cardinals were selected in place of the New York Yankees, one week after baseball announced it would play a 60-game schedule that limits teams to playing against their own divisions and regional interleague matchups.
• It’s Bobby Bonilla Day, the day the Mets pay their former slugger $1.19 million as part of a deferred payment, with interest, from a 2000 buyout. The Mets owed Bonilla $5.9 million and agreed to pay it off with 8% interest from 2011 to 2035.
Golf
Webb Simpson is competing on the PGA Tour again after his family had a coronavirus scare. One of Simpson’s daughters tested positive for COVID-19, leading to him withdrawing from last week’s tournament. “The first test was positive, but [she] got tested again by the more accurate tests, along with my other four kids and my wife, and everyone was negative,” Simpson said a day before he started the first round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “So we felt confident that she never had it.” Simpson, who leads the tour in FedEx Cup points and scoring average, is attempting to become the PGA Tour’s first player with three victories during this pandemic-interrupted year.