2020 XFL Season Cancelled Amidst Covid-19

Similar to other sports leagues around the world, the fate of the 2020 XFL season has been cancelled as a result of the current coronavirus pandemic. The league made the announcement via Twitter to fans on Friday.

The statement posted read that, “The COVID-19 pandemic, and the most recent local and state regulations, have left the XFL no choice but to officially cancel the remainder of the 2020 season. This decision has been made with the health and safety of the entire XFL family as our top priority.” The XFL also added that: “While we are disappointed to note complete the 2020 season, our hearts are full of appreciation for your overwhelming support.”

Friday’s announcement furthermore included information about the 2020 season advising fans that it is looking forward to full season in 2021 and for many years thereafter. Previous to Friday’s announcement, the league has only postponed the season in hopes that things would improve to a point where the season could be saved. However, after the World Health Organization identified the virus as a pandemic, that changed as it became clear the season could not be saved, and therefore it was cancelled.

The league currently saw one of its players diagnosed with the virus. However, the virus has grown exponentially in the United States and as a result, the National Institute of Health stated it could be some time before any “shelter-in-place” orders will be lifted.

2020 NFL Draft Altered for Covid-19

The coronavirus is also impacting the 2020 NFL draft slated for April. It was planned to be held in Las Vegas but in the last week, the city put bans in place that saw all casinos, convention centres and most stores closing their doors, a first in Las Vegas, a city that relies on tourism for its economic strength.

That resulted in the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell announcing that the draft, which was slated for the 23rd to the 25th would go on but will be devoid of any fans or players. The NFL is looking at alternative solutions but considering the rapid increase in reported cases in the US growing at an alarming rate, the draft could be restricted to online only.

Initially, while Vegas remained an option, it no longer is and unnamed sources have revealed the league is looking into conducting the draft via a media studio where teams will make their selections via their own headquarters via broadcasting connections.