Saban tests positive for COVID-19
The Southeastern Conference had to postpone two games in the last three days because of positive COVID-19 tests, and now Alabama coach Nick Saban and his athletic director have tested positive for the virus ahead of the league’s biggest regular-season showdown.
Saban said in a statement Wednesday that he’ll be working from home with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian overseeing the second-ranked Crimson Tide’s preparations to play No. 3 Georgia on Saturday night.
“At this time, I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID, and I have taken another PCR test to confirm my diagnosis,” said Saban, whose AD Greg Byrne also tested positive.
No. 10 Florida’s game against defending national champion LSU was postponed Wednesday to tentatively Dec. 12 after the SEC postponed Missouri Vanderbilt on Monday. More positive tests could derail other games after the league waited until the end of September to kick off the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Colleges
VEGAS TO HOST NCAA TOURNAMENT MEN’S REGIONAL FOR FIRST TIME » Las Vegas will host an NCAA Tournament men’s regional for the first time after the NCAA changed a policy that prevented states with sports wagering from hosting championships.
The NCAA announced Wednesday that a 2023 NCAA Tournament men’s regional will be held in Las Vegas, the first time Nevada will host an NCAA championship since a women’s basketball regional was held at the Thomas & Mack Center in 1991.
The Bay Area landed regional March Madness games in 2025 (men) at San Francisco’s Chase Center and 2026 (men) at San Jose’s SAP Center.
The men’s regional in Las Vegas was among 450 host sites announced through 2026 for a variety of sports.
Nevada will host 11 events, including the 2026 men’s Frozen Four, after the NCAA changed its stance on cities with sports betting last year.
OTHER FUTURE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SITES SELECTED WITH NORCAL TIES » 2023 men’s golf regionals, The Institute Golf Club in Morgan Hill; 2024 men’s golf regionals, Stanford Golf Course; 2022 men’s water polo finals, Cal; 2025 men’s water polo finals, Stanford; 2026 women’s golf regionals, Stanford Golf Course; 2024 women’s gymnastics regionals, Cal; 2024 women’s water polo finals, Cal.
NFL
NFL CANCELS PRO BOWL IN LAS VEGAS » The NFL has canceled next January’s Pro Bowl scheduled for Las Vegas.
During an owners meeting held virtually on Wednesday, the league opted to call off the all-star game, hoping to replace it with a variety of virtual activities. The NFL needs flexibility in January in case it needs to move regular-season games to that month because of the coronavirus pandemic. BRONCOS RUNNING BACK
GORDON CITED FOR DUI » The Broncos sent running back Melvin Gordon III home after learning he was cited by Denver police for driving under the influence and speeding Tuesday night.
Gordon could face a suspension from the NFL. Last year, Broncos safety Kareem Jackson was suspended for the final two games after a DUI arrest in September in downtown Denver.
Women’s college basketball
TAMPA, PHOENIX CHOSEN AS WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR SITES » The NCAA women’s Final Four is finally headed west again.
Phoenix will host the 2026 championship, the NCAA announced. It will be the first time since 2012, when Denver was the host, that the women’s Final Four will be in the Mountain or Pacific time zone. Tampa was awarded the 2025 Final Four, marking the fourth time that the Florida city will be the host. Tampa last hosted in 2019.