There is no doubt that the Coronavirus is going to change the sporting landscape forever. To many that may be a good a thing, others may take a differing opinion.
It was Lord Birkenhead the British politician who said just over 100 years ago, “were cricket and football abolished, it would bring upon the masses nothing but misery, depression, sloth, indiscipline and disorder.” It is early days as to whether he will be proven right, but already some of his fears have come to the fore.
The cancellation of sporting events has caused havoc within the sporting world that few get to see, those who bring the events into your living rooms. Television networks in an effort to cut costs in the past two decades cut many of their production staff, and then opted to hire them back on a freelance basis. Many operate as sole-traders. Camera staff, audio technicians, editors, commentators, directors and producers many others have suddenly lost not only work, but also income and fall outside of Government aid packages. All of these people are experts in their own field and help create the sporting events that many enjoy week after week throughout the year. Nearly all have been forced to search for alternate employment.
It was wonderful to read that CBS Sports and Turner Sports announced that they would pay all technicians and utilities — including freelancers — who were scheduled to work the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Final Four Weekend, and the Division II and Division III National Championship Games.
The announcement revealed that for freelancers, this gesture was not limited to just those working onsite. It was also granted to those who work at any of the event’s broadcast centres in studios, edit rooms, and coordination rooms as well. No doubt they will be long respected for this and will continue to be a company that many wish to work for.
Of course some sports and some production companies cannot possibly afford to look after those they had planned to use, as no event, means no revenue. So there is no way that they can pay those who suddenly find themselves without work.
Of course it is not just the television side of sport that has been hurt, those who work at the various stadia around the globe, many on a game-to-game basis, have also been hurt.
In many sports the top stars earn wages that are simply phone numbers to the rest of us. Yet many of them have come forward to help those who play a key role in their careers by fulfilling these roles. Others have taken a far more general approach to try and ease the current situation.
For example Tottenham Hotspur forward, South Korean Son Heung-Min, donated over USD$82,000 (100 million won) to a non-profit organization in his home country. Good Neighbours International, is a humanitarian NGO in South Korea that is providing aid all across the country, supplying masks, hand sanitizers and hygiene kits.
In Italy AC Milan announced that it would donate USD$284,000 (€250,000) to relief efforts tackling the virus. They also said that they would reimburse fans who were not able to attend the games played behind closed doors.
It is hard to know what one can do in these times apart from look out for each other, and make sure that everyone is not only healthy but coping mentally. One thing that many people may have forgotten is how regular physical exercise helps our mental well being. Exercise releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood. If has been proven that if you exercise regularly, it can reduce your stress and symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Some of the biggest names in sports have opted to come together as a group to raise money and awareness for COVID-19 relief. US Sports agency Octagon launched a fundraising tool called Athletes for Relief to provide a place for all athletes to help support those most in need. Some of the big name stars contributing are, Stephen Curry, Sir Nick Faldo, Michael Phelps, David Ortiz and Simone Biles. This fundraiser is not restricted to those athletes signed with the Agency, they were simply the ones who came up with the idea.
Basketballer Kevin Love, who has long been an advocate for mental health issues, announced last week that he was donating USD$100,000 to help with the fear and anxiety resulting from the pandemic. Something that is bound to be a far bigger issue when everything calms down than most people may realise.
As posted on our Facebook page New Orleans Pelican Zion Williamson announced via social media that he would be covering the salaries for New Orleans arena workers for 30 days. The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo said last Friday that he would pledge $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum arena employees.
After Antetokounmpo’s announcement the Bucks Senior Vice-President Alex Lasry came out and said that the team would match Antetokounmpo’s pledge.
Williamson wrote in his post “The people of New Orleans have been incredibly welcoming and supportive since I was drafted by the Pels last June, and some of the most special people I have met are those who work at smoothie King Center. These are the folks who make our games possible, creating the perfect environment for our fans and everyone involved in the organization.”
It was interesting to note that he went on to acknowledge the contribution his mother played in making him realise that these people needed help, and that they played a key part in his whole sporting experience. “My mother has always set an example for me about being respectful for others and being grateful for what we have,” he wrote.
Sadly there are many around the word who appear not to have had that grounding, judging by the scenes at Supermarkets, and the hoarding of items that is taking place. Then there are stories of those around Williamson’s age (he is 19) ignoring the warnings issued because they are young and healthy, and it is unlikely to affect them. Clearly they lacked that same parental guidance.
There are millions of people around the globe who pay to watch sporting events, who pay to buy merchandise, or pay to subscribe to a television or online service to watch their team play. Equally there are thousands of people who make the games possible at the venue and the airing of the games on television or online a reality. Now it is time for those teams and those sports to step up and give back to the communities that they are a very important part of. A large number of people are going to be hurt from this virus, so now these clubs and organisations are in the spotlight.
For years all of those who have paid to play or watch have been told how their club is ‘part of their community’, that they are part of ‘a family,’ now we will really see which sports and which clubs are genuine in their messaging and promotion. Those who fail to live up to the ideals that they have promoted may find that when the dust settles things will never be as they were.
It has been fantastic to hear of all the clubs and athletes who have openly donated during this time, but we must also remember that there will be many who will do it quietly or anonymously. We must also remember that some sports stars are not being paid the same salaries as those previously mentioned. However it is important that clubs, and each sport as a whole are seen to be looking after those who support them and contribute to their financial bottom line.
Sport finally has a genuine opportunity to give back to the community.
At the turn of the last century the British sportswriter Frederick Hackwood wrote “The sports of the people afford an index to the character of the nation.” Now more than ever sports in nations across the globe need to reveal their character as it will have a far reaching impact.
While some will surprise with the character shown, one fears that some will be found wanting. No doubt all will be revealed.
