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SPORTS Saturday 21 March 2020
Sports business staff grapple with coronavirus world

CHICAGO (AP) — The idea ta Twins president Dave St.
came together while Dan Peter said Friday in a tele-
Migala was working on phone interview with the
proper hand-washing tech- AP. "You know, sports isn't
niques with his 5 1/2-year- the most important thing
old son, William. in the world. We certainly
William is a big NBA fan, so recognize that life can go
they talked about how he on without it. There's things
needed to wash his hands that are much more impor-
for 24 seconds like the tant that our country, our
shot clock in pro basket- world is dealing with.
ball. Dan then asked Wil- "But I do think sports leaves
liam about how they could a void for people and I think
teach more kids how to it'll play a really critical role
wash their hands, and Wil- in helping the world heal,
liam suggested getting a but certainly in America,
mascot involved. I think baseball will play a
Dan Migala, a longtime role in helping this country
sports marketing executive, heal."
knew almost immediately it There are very few places
was an idea worth pursuing to look for guidance. The
amid the coronavirus pan- 1989 World Series was de- A bicyclist rides past T-Mobile Park, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Seattle, where baseball's Se-
demic. He called his bas- layed after an earthquake attle Mariners plays home games.
ketball clients, and an NBA hit the Bay Area in North- Associated Press
team made plans to put ern California. Sports hit
together a video of its mas- the pause button after the The Boston Red Sox post- important focus in the ab- there's some small things
cot washing its hands for its Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist at- ed coloring sheets for fans sence of sporting events. you can do that I think
social media channels. tacks. Hurricane Katrina to print out for their kids to "If it was me, especially can allow a fan to feel like
With the sports calendar in had a dramatic effect on work on at home. The Car- here in the Silicon Val- they're still connected," he
question more than ever sports in Louisiana for years olina Hurricanes tweeted ley, I would want to have said.
before — the NBA and NHL after it flooded New Or- warm messages at other a group of the smartest Asked about what sports
have suspended their sea- leans in 2005. NHL teams. The Charlotte people around with sort of properties can do right
sons, golf, tennis and auto Andy Dolich was the vice Hornets shared video of a brainstorming session of now while the calendar is
racing are taking a break, president of business op- center Cody Zeller learning 'OK, here's what we have. empty, Migala focused on
and Major League Base- erations for Oakland at how to play guitar. The Uni- We don't know all the an- five areas: unite the com-
ball isn't sure when it will get the time of the 1989 earth- versity of Nebraska started swers. We're going to be munity, create smiles and
started — the sports busi- quake. Asked about what a Husker Homework series out of playing any games remove fear, make valu-
ness world is confronting lessons from that disaster for kids, with the first entry for a long time. What can able digital inventory, em-
several challenging issues might be applicable to- focusing on Eric Crouch's we do to engage, more brace new media and
beyond the potentially day, he emphasized the playing career at the than we're doing now?'" technology, and prepare
considerable loss of ticket, importance of coordina- school. Dolich said. "Whether it's for the return of games and
advertising and other forms tion, communication and "From an external side of virtual reality, augmented events.
of revenue. leadership. things, we've looked at it reality, et cetera. ... How "I think you're seeing teams
It is searching for ways to "I'd also say, where you as two elements," said Gar- can we do that, and I think put a lot of focus and en-
stay engaged with fans can, and I'm also starting rett Klassy, a senior deputy there will be some break- ergy on being part of the
without its traditional con- to see it in just individuals, athletic director at Ne- throughs, because people broader solution and may-
tent sources. It is looking what can you do?" he said. braska. "One is how do we will push that." be even for a moment in
for opportunities to help its "I mean life isn't normal, but give back to the commu- Like pretty much every time be teammates with
communities during trau- we still have our televisions, nity during these times, and sports organization, the their community," Migala,
matic times. It is prepar- we still have ability to com- then No. 2, without sports, Twins are working on their the co-founder of 4FRONT,
ing for what might be a municate." how do we keep everyone social media plans. St. Pe- a sports marketing firm,
completely different world Sports properties have engaged?" ter said they likely will hold said, "but then also be-
whenever the games re- more ways to communi- The 73-year-old Dolich, who some town hall-style chats ing really ready when that
sume. cate with internal and ex- has his own consulting firm with team leadership and bounce back does occur
"We've never seen anything ternal audiences than ever and teaches in Stanford's season-ticket holders or and the return back to nor-
like this. Nobody has seen before, and they are using school of continuing stud- sponsors. mal, that they're there for
anything like this," Minneso- them in a variety of ways. ies, said engagement is an "It's not easy, but I also think them."q

XFL cancels return season because of coronavirus pandemic

NEW YORK (AP) — The XFL has league had "no choice but to of- support." For most people, the Luck stressed that the XFL will be
canceled the remainder of its re- ficially cancel the remainder of new coronavirus causes only mild back. "When our teams return
turn season because of the new the 2020 season. This decision has or moderate symptoms, such as to the field, we'll make every ef-
coronavirus pandemic. been made with the health and fever and cough. For some, es- fort to ensure your faith in us is re-
The league played five games of safety of the entire XFL family as pecially older adults and people warded with even more fun and
a 10-game regular season in eight our top priority." with existing health problems, it excitement," he told fans.
cities. It was a revival of the XFL "While we are disappointed to not can cause more severe illness, in- The XFL had teams in New York,
that played one season in 2001. complete the 2020 season," Luck cluding pneumonia. Washington, Los Angeles, Hous-
Commissioner Oliver Luck re- added, "our hearts are full of ap- The vast majority of people recov- ton, Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, and
leased a statement saying the preciation for your overwhelming er from the new virus. Tampa.q