Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty ImagesRunning back Carter Martez of the LA Wildcats dives into the end zone past the defense of inside linebacker Jameer Thurman of the DC Defenders for a 2-point conversion in the second quarter of the XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesA reverse look shows cardboard cutouts of pets placed in seats where fans usually sit prior to start of a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 10, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif.- Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesCardboard cutouts of pets and fans are placed in the stands during the game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 10, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif. Proceeds from the sale of cutouts will benefit the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, the Dodgers' official charitable organization.
- Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesRapper, Lil Wayne is seen as virtual fan during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on Aug. 5, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
- MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesEmpty grounds are seen during the third One Day International cricket match between England and Ireland at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southwest England on Aug. 4, 2020.
- ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty ImagesA journalist walks in the empty stands before the start of the Mexican Apertura tournament football match between Atlas and Pumas at the Jalisco stadium in Guadalajara, Jalisco State, Mexico on Aug. 3, 2020, during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
- MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesFloodlights illuminate the empty ground during the third One Day International cricket match between England and Ireland at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southwest England on Aug. 4, 2020.
- Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesA cardboard cut out of Shaquille O'Neal is seen in the stadium next to a cardboard cut out of Harry Dunn, who died following a road traffic accident, ahead of the Sky Bet League Two Play Off Semi-final 1st Leg match between Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town at PTS Academy Stadium on June 18, 2020 in Northampton, England.
- Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesCutouts of fans sit in the seats at Truist Park prior to an MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Tampa Bay Rays on July 29, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Because fans still aren't allowed to attend sports events in the U.S., baseball stadiums have started filling empty seats with cardboard cutouts.
- Hannah Foslien/Getty ImagesA worker places cutouts of former Minnesota Twins players, coaches and staff in the seats behind home plate before the home opener between the Twins and the St. Louis Cardinals at Target Field on July 28, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesCardboard cutouts of young fans are seen as the Texas Rangers take on the Colorado Rockies at Globe Life Field on July 26, 2020 in Arlington, Texas.
- Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesA cutout of longtime Atlanta Braves usher Walter Banks is displayed along with other fan cutouts prior to an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Truist Park on July 29, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Doug Pensinger/Getty ImagesBrandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants poses with cardboard cutouts in the stands before their game against the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park on July 29, 2020 in San Francisco, California.
- Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThe winner's circle sits empty at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2020, in Louisville, Kentucky. The 146th running of the Kentucky Derby, originally scheduled for May 2, has been postponed to Sept. 5, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ted Shaffrey/APAn empty MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is seen from the air on Monday, April 6, 2020.
- Martin Meissner/APEmpty seats are pictured at the stadium of German Bundesliga soccer club Borussia Moenchengladbach in Moenchengladbach, Germany, Thursday, April 16, 2020. All major events in Germany are suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak until the end of August, the German Bundesliga suspended all matches until April 30, 2020.
- Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesThe New York Islanders future home adjacent to the Belmont Racetrack has suspended construction during the coronavirus pandemic. The arena was photographed on April 5, 2020 in Elmont, New York.
- BRUCE BENNETT/Getty ImagesWith the NHL season paused on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NYCB's Live at Nassau Coliseum has been closed to events in Uniondale, New York.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APOne of the main public entrances to All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet club with the statue of former winner of the Wimbledon tennis championships Fred Perry in the background. The cancellation of the 2020 Wimbledon Tennis Championships was announced on April 1, 2020 due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APA sign outside one of the main gates to Wimbledon is seen after the cancellation of the famed tennis championships was announced on April 1, 2020.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APA security guard inside the main gates to Wimbledon is seen following the announcement that tennis championships were cancelled on April 1, 2020.
- Ivan Valencia/APThe usually busy avenue running along Nemesio Camacho stadium is empty in Bogota, Colombia, Friday, March 20, 2020. Residents in the capital of Colombia start a four-day simulated home lockdown drill, similar to one surrounding nations are using to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APA groundsman looks at the grass on one of the outside courts at Wimbledon following the announcement that tennis championships were cancelled on April 1, 2020.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APAn "order of play" sign on the grounds of Wimbledon is seen following the announcement that tennis championships were cancelled on April 1, 2020.
- NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty ImagesA view of a temporary field hospital is seen set up for coronavirus patients at Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil on March 27, 2020. Brazil's top soccer clubs are handing over their stadiums to allow health authorities to turn them into field hospitals and clinics to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
- Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesSoccer pitches remain dormant and unused during the pandemic lockdown on March 31, 2020 in Northwich, England.
- Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesFootball pitches remain dormant and unused during the pandemic lockdown on March 31, 2020 in Northwich, England,
- INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty ImagesThe empty Signal Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, western Germany is seen on March 28, 2020. The stadium is closed in a measure to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus that can cause the COVID-19 disease.
- INTI OCON/AFP via Getty ImagesPlayers of Managua FC (L) and Cacique Diriangen FC sing the national anthem before their soccer match at the National stadium in Managua on March 28, 2020. The local Nicaraguan soccer league continues to compete despite the novel coronavirus pandemic.
- Win McNamee/Getty ImagesNationals Park, home to the World Series Champion Washington Nationals, is empty on the scheduled date for Opening Day on March 26, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
- Win McNamee/Getty ImagesThe stands of Nationals Park remain empty on what would've been opening day on March 25, 2020. Major League Baseball has postponed the start of its season due to the COVID-19 outbreak and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred recently said the league is "probably not gonna be able to" play a full 162-game regular season.
- Jae C. Hong/APA woman pauses for photos next to the Olympic rings near the New National Stadium in Tokyo, Monday, March 23, 2020. The IOC announced today that the 2020 Olympics will be postponed due to coronavirus.
- Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesAn empty Marvel Stadium, due to the coronavirus outbreak, is seen during the 2020 AFL Round 01 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Collingwood Magpies on March 20, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.
- Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesEmpty seats line Wham Stadium, home to Accrington Stanley FC, on March 19, 2020 in Accrington, England.
- Ashley Feder/Getty ImagesAn empty Central Coast Stadium is seen due to the fan lockout from coronavirus during the round 24 A-League match between the Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City on March 20, 2020 in Gosford, Australia.
- Michael Steele/Getty ImagesAn empty Ashton Gate Stadium, home of Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears Rugby, is seen following the suspension of all matches due to the Coronavirus Pandemic on March 20, 2020 in Bristol, England.
- Michael Steele/Getty ImagesBath Rugby stadium is seen after the RFU announcement confirming the end of the season for all levels below the Premiership due to the Coronavirus Pandemic at The Recreation Ground on March 20, 2020 in Bath, England.
- Jason McCawley/Getty ImagesThe round 2 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Penrith Panthers occurs without fans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on March 20, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the fixture will be played with no fans in attendance due to a NSW Public Health Order prohibiting outdoor events with more than 500 people.
- JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty ImagesA worker cleans a handrail at the Ivan de Bedout basketball stadium in Medellin on March 17, 2020 after the closure of all sporting venues in Colombia as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus. Quarantine; schools, shops and borders closed; and banned gatherings are the main measures being taken in many countries across the world to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus.
- JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Atanasio Giradot football stadium in Medellin is seen from above on March 17, 2020, after the closure of all sporting venues in Colombia as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus.
- Dan Mullan/Getty ImagesThe Torquay United stadium is seen following the scheduled match between Torquay United and Notts County being postponed due to the Coronavirus at Plainmoor on March 17, 2020 in Torquay, England.
- David Rogers/Getty ImagesFranklin's Gardens, the home of Northampton Saints, is seen on March 17, 2020 in Northampton, England. The Rugby Football Union has suspended all levels of the game in England until April 14 because of the coronavirus.
- Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesA sign indicating that the club shop and ticket office are closed is seen outside the Abbey Stadium, home of Cambridge United on March 17, 2020 in Cambridge, England.
- Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesThe emptied out Eastleigh Football Club is seen after the announcement that all football league matches, including the Premier League and Women's Super League, have been postponed until at least April 3 in response to the threat of coronavirus. This follows UEFA's decision to suspend fixtures in the Champion's League and the Europa League, as many top flight players enter self-isolation.
- Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesThe emptied out Eastleigh Football Club is seen after it has been announced that all football league matches, including the Premier League and Women's Super League, have been postponed until at least April 3 in response to the threat of coronavirus.
- Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesThe Abbey Stadium, home of Cambridge United, is empty on March 17, 2020 in Cambridge, England.
- TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty ImagesA sign noting the postponement of all matches is seen outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on March 15, 2020, as the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United was postponed due to COVID-19.
- ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty ImagesCrew members of Tower Sports pack up their equipment at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on March 17, 2020. Pakistan's Twenty20 cricket league was suspended on March 17 just hours before the start of the semi-finals because of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesOwner and operators of Method MMA, Eddie Abney and his wife Michelle Abney, interact with their customers as they broadcast Facebook live video following Brazilian jiu-jitsu trainings in an attempt to keep their sport clients active and progressing while their gym is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic at Method MMA on March 16, 2020 in Forest Hill, Maryland. They've now been forced to use the power of video and the Internet to reach their customers,
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesOwner and operators of Method MMA, Eddie Abney and his wife, Michelle Abney, interact with their customers as they broadcast Facebook live video following Brazilian jiu-jitsu trainings in an attempt to keep their sport clients active and progressing while their gym is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic at Method MMA on March 16, 2020 in Forest Hill, Maryland.
- PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty ImagesCruz Azul's Uruguayan forward Jonathan Rodriguez (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring against America during their Mexican Clausura tournament football match at the Azteca stadium on March 15, 2020 in Mexico City. The match is played without public as a preventive measure in the face of the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
- PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty ImagesCruz Azul and America's players vie for the ball during their Mexican Clausura tournament football match at Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City on March 15, 2020. The match was played without public as a preventive measure in the face of the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
- Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesA general view outside of Peoria Stadium on March 13, 2020 in Peoria, Ariz. Major League Baseball cancelled spring training games and has delayed opening day by at least two weeks due to the widespread coronavirus outbreak.
- Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesClosed signs and MLB news releases are displayed on box office windows outside of Peoria Stadium, home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners on March 13, 2020 in Peoria, Ariz.
- Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesAn aerial view of Oracle Park, where the San Francisco Giants play, on March 12, 2020 in San Francisco, Calif. The NBA, NHL, NCAA and MLB have all announced cancellations or postponements of events because of the coronavirus.
- STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty ImagesSumo wrestlers attend the spring grand sumo tournament held behind closed doors due to the outbreak of the coronavirus in Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka on March 8, 2020.
- JUSSI NUKARI/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty ImagesA lone official stands at the stands during the men's 12,5 km Pursuit competition at the IBU Biathlon World Cup in Kontiolahti, Finland on March 14, 2020. All competitions are being held without spectators due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
- VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty ImagesJuventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) warms up with teammates in the empty stadium as the match will be played behind closed doors due to coronavirus concerns before the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs Inter Milan, at the Juventus stadium in Turin on March 8, 2020. The game was Ronaldo's 1000th of his career.
- VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty ImagesJuventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo runs on the pitch in an empty stadium due to coronavirus outbreak corncerns during the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs Inter Milan at the Juventus stadium in Turin on March 8, 2020.
- Stephen M. Dowell/APThe seats are empty at the Amway Center in Orlando, home of the NBA's Orlando Magic, on March 12, 2020. The NBA has suspended its season "until further notice" after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league's owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
- Stephen M. Dowell/APThe seats are empty at the Amway Center in Orlando, home of the NBA's Orlando Magic, on March 12, 2020.
- Stephen M. Dowell/APThe hallway outside the locker room is empty at the Amway Center in Orlando, home of the NBA's Orlando Magic, on March 12, 2020, following all games being suspended for the season.
- Joshua Bessex/APThe Tacoma Defiance, a United Soccer League team based in Tacoma, Wash., play the San Diego Royal in a USL match inside an empty Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Wash., on March 11, 2020. The team announced it would play the match without fans after Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed a temporary restriction on gatherings of more than 250 people due to the rapid spreading of the coronavirus.
- Luis Vera/Getty ImagesBalls sit in an empty stadium prior to a match between Olimpia and Defensa y Justicia as part of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores at Tigo Manuel Ferreira Stadium on March 11, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. Paraguayan government determined by presidential decree 3442 on March 9 that all massive events must go behind closed doors due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Jörg Schüler/Bongarts/Getty ImagesEmpty seats are seen inside the stadium during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and 1. FC Koeln at Borussia-Park on March 11, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. For the first time in the history of the German Bundesliga the match is played behind closed doors as a precaution against the spread of the Coronavirus.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesThe basketball court is empty prior to Yeshiva playing against Worcester Polytechnic Institute during the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - First Round at Goldfarb Gymnasium on at Johns Hopkins University on March 6, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. On Thursday, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced that Maryland had confirmed three cases of residents with COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, prompting Johns Hopkins officials to host the NCAA men's basketball tournament without spectators.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesSigns reading "Credentialed Access Only" are seen prior to Yeshiva playing against Worcester Polytechnic Institute during the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - First Round at Goldfarb Gymnasium on at Johns Hopkins University on March 6, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesJohn Lowther #25 of Worcester Polytechnic Institute looks to pass in front of Gabriel Leifer #4 of Yeshiva in the first half during the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - First Round at Goldfarb Gymnasium on at Johns Hopkins University on March 6, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. Empty seats are seen behind the teams.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesA sign reading "No Spectators" prior to Yeshiva playing against Worcester Polytechnic Institute during the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - First Round at Goldfarb Gymnasium on at Johns Hopkins University on March 6, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Valerio Pennicino/Getty ImagesJuventus and FC Internazionale players warm up in the empty stadium after rules to limit the spread of coronavirus have been put in place before the Serie A match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on March 8, 2020 in Turin, Italy.
- INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty ImagesEmpty seats and stands at Borussia-Park football stadium are pictured on March 10, 2020 in Mönchengladbach. The Rhine Bundesliga derby match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Cologne, scheduled for March 11, will be held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus, the first game in Bundesliga history to be played without fans, club officials announced on March 10. Bundesliga games had been going ahead as usual, even as the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus continued to rise in Germany, passing 1,000 as of March 10.
- -/POOL UEFA/AFP via Getty ImagesAtalanta's Slovenian midfielder Josip Ilicic (C) scores during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Valencia CF and Atalanta at Estadio Mestalla, played in an empty stadium, on March 10, 2020 in Valencia.
- Emilio Andreoli/Getty ImagesAn empty stadium is seen following fans not being able to attend the match due to coronavirus precautions prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Brescia Calcio at Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore on March 9, 2020 in Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Marco Luzzani/Getty ImagesA steward looks on from an empty stand during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 8, 2020 in Milan, Italy.
- JUAN MANUEL SERRANO ARCE/Getty ImagesSoccer players play on inside the empty stadium as fans stay away due to coronavirus precautions during the Liga match between SD Eibar SAD and Real Sociedad at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on March 10, 2020 in Eibar, Spain.
- DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty ImagesBrazil's and Canada's female soccer players line up in an empty stadium prior to the 2020 "Tournoi de France" women's soccer tournament match between the two countries, held behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus, at the Epopee Stadium in Calais, northern France, on March 10, 2020.
- Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesCardboard cutouts of pets are placed in seats where fans usually sit during the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 10, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif. Dodger fans for $149, can now purchase a Los Angeles Dodgers Fan Cutout for their dog and cat.
- Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty ImagesRunning back Carter Martez of the LA Wildcats dives into the end zone past the defense of inside linebacker Jameer Thurman of the DC Defenders for a 2-point conversion in the second quarter of the XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park.
- Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesCardboard cutouts of pets are placed in seats where fans usually sit during the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 10, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif. Dodger fans for $149, can now purchase a Los Angeles Dodgers Fan Cutout for their dog and cat.
- Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesA reverse look shows cardboard cutouts of pets placed in seats where fans usually sit prior to start of a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 10, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif.
- Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesCardboard cutouts of pets and fans are placed in the stands during the game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 10, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif. Proceeds from the sale of cutouts will benefit the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, the Dodgers' official charitable organization.
- Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesRapper, Lil Wayne is seen as virtual fan during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on Aug. 5, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
- MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesEmpty grounds are seen during the third One Day International cricket match between England and Ireland at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southwest England on Aug. 4, 2020.
- ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty ImagesA journalist walks in the empty stands before the start of the Mexican Apertura tournament football match between Atlas and Pumas at the Jalisco stadium in Guadalajara, Jalisco State, Mexico on Aug. 3, 2020, during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
- MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesFloodlights illuminate the empty ground during the third One Day International cricket match between England and Ireland at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southwest England on Aug. 4, 2020.
- Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesA cardboard cut out of Shaquille O'Neal is seen in the stadium next to a cardboard cut out of Harry Dunn, who died following a road traffic accident, ahead of the Sky Bet League Two Play Off Semi-final 1st Leg match between Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town at PTS Academy Stadium on June 18, 2020 in Northampton, England.
- Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesCutouts of fans sit in the seats at Truist Park prior to an MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Tampa Bay Rays on July 29, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Because fans still aren't allowed to attend sports events in the U.S., baseball stadiums have started filling empty seats with cardboard cutouts.
- Hannah Foslien/Getty ImagesA worker places cutouts of former Minnesota Twins players, coaches and staff in the seats behind home plate before the home opener between the Twins and the St. Louis Cardinals at Target Field on July 28, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesCardboard cutouts of young fans are seen as the Texas Rangers take on the Colorado Rockies at Globe Life Field on July 26, 2020 in Arlington, Texas.
- Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesA cutout of longtime Atlanta Braves usher Walter Banks is displayed along with other fan cutouts prior to an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Truist Park on July 29, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Doug Pensinger/Getty ImagesBrandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants poses with cardboard cutouts in the stands before their game against the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park on July 29, 2020 in San Francisco, California.
- Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThe winner's circle sits empty at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2020, in Louisville, Kentucky. The 146th running of the Kentucky Derby, originally scheduled for May 2, has been postponed to Sept. 5, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ted Shaffrey/APAn empty MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is seen from the air on Monday, April 6, 2020.
- Martin Meissner/APEmpty seats are pictured at the stadium of German Bundesliga soccer club Borussia Moenchengladbach in Moenchengladbach, Germany, Thursday, April 16, 2020. All major events in Germany are suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak until the end of August, the German Bundesliga suspended all matches until April 30, 2020.
- Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesThe New York Islanders future home adjacent to the Belmont Racetrack has suspended construction during the coronavirus pandemic. The arena was photographed on April 5, 2020 in Elmont, New York.
- BRUCE BENNETT/Getty ImagesWith the NHL season paused on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NYCB's Live at Nassau Coliseum has been closed to events in Uniondale, New York.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APOne of the main public entrances to All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet club with the statue of former winner of the Wimbledon tennis championships Fred Perry in the background. The cancellation of the 2020 Wimbledon Tennis Championships was announced on April 1, 2020 due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APA sign outside one of the main gates to Wimbledon is seen after the cancellation of the famed tennis championships was announced on April 1, 2020.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APA security guard inside the main gates to Wimbledon is seen following the announcement that tennis championships were cancelled on April 1, 2020.
- Ivan Valencia/APThe usually busy avenue running along Nemesio Camacho stadium is empty in Bogota, Colombia, Friday, March 20, 2020. Residents in the capital of Colombia start a four-day simulated home lockdown drill, similar to one surrounding nations are using to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APA groundsman looks at the grass on one of the outside courts at Wimbledon following the announcement that tennis championships were cancelled on April 1, 2020.
- Kirsty Wigglesworth/APAn "order of play" sign on the grounds of Wimbledon is seen following the announcement that tennis championships were cancelled on April 1, 2020.
- NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty ImagesA view of a temporary field hospital is seen set up for coronavirus patients at Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil on March 27, 2020. Brazil's top soccer clubs are handing over their stadiums to allow health authorities to turn them into field hospitals and clinics to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
- Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesSoccer pitches remain dormant and unused during the pandemic lockdown on March 31, 2020 in Northwich, England.
- Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesFootball pitches remain dormant and unused during the pandemic lockdown on March 31, 2020 in Northwich, England,
- INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty ImagesThe empty Signal Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, western Germany is seen on March 28, 2020. The stadium is closed in a measure to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus that can cause the COVID-19 disease.
- INTI OCON/AFP via Getty ImagesPlayers of Managua FC (L) and Cacique Diriangen FC sing the national anthem before their soccer match at the National stadium in Managua on March 28, 2020. The local Nicaraguan soccer league continues to compete despite the novel coronavirus pandemic.
- Win McNamee/Getty ImagesNationals Park, home to the World Series Champion Washington Nationals, is empty on the scheduled date for Opening Day on March 26, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
- Win McNamee/Getty ImagesThe stands of Nationals Park remain empty on what would've been opening day on March 25, 2020. Major League Baseball has postponed the start of its season due to the COVID-19 outbreak and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred recently said the league is "probably not gonna be able to" play a full 162-game regular season.
- Jae C. Hong/APA woman pauses for photos next to the Olympic rings near the New National Stadium in Tokyo, Monday, March 23, 2020. The IOC announced today that the 2020 Olympics will be postponed due to coronavirus.
- Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesAn empty Marvel Stadium, due to the coronavirus outbreak, is seen during the 2020 AFL Round 01 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Collingwood Magpies on March 20, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.
- Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesEmpty seats line Wham Stadium, home to Accrington Stanley FC, on March 19, 2020 in Accrington, England.
- Ashley Feder/Getty ImagesAn empty Central Coast Stadium is seen due to the fan lockout from coronavirus during the round 24 A-League match between the Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City on March 20, 2020 in Gosford, Australia.
- Michael Steele/Getty ImagesAn empty Ashton Gate Stadium, home of Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears Rugby, is seen following the suspension of all matches due to the Coronavirus Pandemic on March 20, 2020 in Bristol, England.
- Michael Steele/Getty ImagesBath Rugby stadium is seen after the RFU announcement confirming the end of the season for all levels below the Premiership due to the Coronavirus Pandemic at The Recreation Ground on March 20, 2020 in Bath, England.
- Jason McCawley/Getty ImagesThe round 2 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Penrith Panthers occurs without fans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on March 20, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the fixture will be played with no fans in attendance due to a NSW Public Health Order prohibiting outdoor events with more than 500 people.
- JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty ImagesA worker cleans a handrail at the Ivan de Bedout basketball stadium in Medellin on March 17, 2020 after the closure of all sporting venues in Colombia as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus. Quarantine; schools, shops and borders closed; and banned gatherings are the main measures being taken in many countries across the world to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus.
- JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Atanasio Giradot football stadium in Medellin is seen from above on March 17, 2020, after the closure of all sporting venues in Colombia as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus.
- Dan Mullan/Getty ImagesThe Torquay United stadium is seen following the scheduled match between Torquay United and Notts County being postponed due to the Coronavirus at Plainmoor on March 17, 2020 in Torquay, England.
- David Rogers/Getty ImagesFranklin's Gardens, the home of Northampton Saints, is seen on March 17, 2020 in Northampton, England. The Rugby Football Union has suspended all levels of the game in England until April 14 because of the coronavirus.
- Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesA sign indicating that the club shop and ticket office are closed is seen outside the Abbey Stadium, home of Cambridge United on March 17, 2020 in Cambridge, England.
- Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesThe emptied out Eastleigh Football Club is seen after the announcement that all football league matches, including the Premier League and Women's Super League, have been postponed until at least April 3 in response to the threat of coronavirus. This follows UEFA's decision to suspend fixtures in the Champion's League and the Europa League, as many top flight players enter self-isolation.
- Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesThe emptied out Eastleigh Football Club is seen after it has been announced that all football league matches, including the Premier League and Women's Super League, have been postponed until at least April 3 in response to the threat of coronavirus.
- Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesThe Abbey Stadium, home of Cambridge United, is empty on March 17, 2020 in Cambridge, England.
- TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty ImagesA sign noting the postponement of all matches is seen outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on March 15, 2020, as the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United was postponed due to COVID-19.
- ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty ImagesCrew members of Tower Sports pack up their equipment at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on March 17, 2020. Pakistan's Twenty20 cricket league was suspended on March 17 just hours before the start of the semi-finals because of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesOwner and operators of Method MMA, Eddie Abney and his wife Michelle Abney, interact with their customers as they broadcast Facebook live video following Brazilian jiu-jitsu trainings in an attempt to keep their sport clients active and progressing while their gym is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic at Method MMA on March 16, 2020 in Forest Hill, Maryland. They've now been forced to use the power of video and the Internet to reach their customers,
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesOwner and operators of Method MMA, Eddie Abney and his wife, Michelle Abney, interact with their customers as they broadcast Facebook live video following Brazilian jiu-jitsu trainings in an attempt to keep their sport clients active and progressing while their gym is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic at Method MMA on March 16, 2020 in Forest Hill, Maryland.
- PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty ImagesCruz Azul's Uruguayan forward Jonathan Rodriguez (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring against America during their Mexican Clausura tournament football match at the Azteca stadium on March 15, 2020 in Mexico City. The match is played without public as a preventive measure in the face of the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
- PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty ImagesCruz Azul and America's players vie for the ball during their Mexican Clausura tournament football match at Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City on March 15, 2020. The match was played without public as a preventive measure in the face of the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
- Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesA general view outside of Peoria Stadium on March 13, 2020 in Peoria, Ariz. Major League Baseball cancelled spring training games and has delayed opening day by at least two weeks due to the widespread coronavirus outbreak.
- Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesClosed signs and MLB news releases are displayed on box office windows outside of Peoria Stadium, home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners on March 13, 2020 in Peoria, Ariz.
- Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesAn aerial view of Oracle Park, where the San Francisco Giants play, on March 12, 2020 in San Francisco, Calif. The NBA, NHL, NCAA and MLB have all announced cancellations or postponements of events because of the coronavirus.
- STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty ImagesSumo wrestlers attend the spring grand sumo tournament held behind closed doors due to the outbreak of the coronavirus in Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka on March 8, 2020.
- JUSSI NUKARI/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty ImagesA lone official stands at the stands during the men's 12,5 km Pursuit competition at the IBU Biathlon World Cup in Kontiolahti, Finland on March 14, 2020. All competitions are being held without spectators due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
- VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty ImagesJuventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) warms up with teammates in the empty stadium as the match will be played behind closed doors due to coronavirus concerns before the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs Inter Milan, at the Juventus stadium in Turin on March 8, 2020. The game was Ronaldo's 1000th of his career.
- VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty ImagesJuventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo runs on the pitch in an empty stadium due to coronavirus outbreak corncerns during the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs Inter Milan at the Juventus stadium in Turin on March 8, 2020.
- Stephen M. Dowell/APThe seats are empty at the Amway Center in Orlando, home of the NBA's Orlando Magic, on March 12, 2020. The NBA has suspended its season "until further notice" after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league's owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
- Stephen M. Dowell/APThe seats are empty at the Amway Center in Orlando, home of the NBA's Orlando Magic, on March 12, 2020.
- Stephen M. Dowell/APThe hallway outside the locker room is empty at the Amway Center in Orlando, home of the NBA's Orlando Magic, on March 12, 2020, following all games being suspended for the season.
- Joshua Bessex/APThe Tacoma Defiance, a United Soccer League team based in Tacoma, Wash., play the San Diego Royal in a USL match inside an empty Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Wash., on March 11, 2020. The team announced it would play the match without fans after Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed a temporary restriction on gatherings of more than 250 people due to the rapid spreading of the coronavirus.
- Luis Vera/Getty ImagesBalls sit in an empty stadium prior to a match between Olimpia and Defensa y Justicia as part of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores at Tigo Manuel Ferreira Stadium on March 11, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. Paraguayan government determined by presidential decree 3442 on March 9 that all massive events must go behind closed doors due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Jörg Schüler/Bongarts/Getty ImagesEmpty seats are seen inside the stadium during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and 1. FC Koeln at Borussia-Park on March 11, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. For the first time in the history of the German Bundesliga the match is played behind closed doors as a precaution against the spread of the Coronavirus.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesThe basketball court is empty prior to Yeshiva playing against Worcester Polytechnic Institute during the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - First Round at Goldfarb Gymnasium on at Johns Hopkins University on March 6, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. On Thursday, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced that Maryland had confirmed three cases of residents with COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, prompting Johns Hopkins officials to host the NCAA men's basketball tournament without spectators.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesSigns reading "Credentialed Access Only" are seen prior to Yeshiva playing against Worcester Polytechnic Institute during the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - First Round at Goldfarb Gymnasium on at Johns Hopkins University on March 6, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesJohn Lowther #25 of Worcester Polytechnic Institute looks to pass in front of Gabriel Leifer #4 of Yeshiva in the first half during the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - First Round at Goldfarb Gymnasium on at Johns Hopkins University on March 6, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. Empty seats are seen behind the teams.
- Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesA sign reading "No Spectators" prior to Yeshiva playing against Worcester Polytechnic Institute during the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - First Round at Goldfarb Gymnasium on at Johns Hopkins University on March 6, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Valerio Pennicino/Getty ImagesJuventus and FC Internazionale players warm up in the empty stadium after rules to limit the spread of coronavirus have been put in place before the Serie A match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on March 8, 2020 in Turin, Italy.
- INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty ImagesEmpty seats and stands at Borussia-Park football stadium are pictured on March 10, 2020 in Mönchengladbach. The Rhine Bundesliga derby match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Cologne, scheduled for March 11, will be held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus, the first game in Bundesliga history to be played without fans, club officials announced on March 10. Bundesliga games had been going ahead as usual, even as the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus continued to rise in Germany, passing 1,000 as of March 10.
- -/POOL UEFA/AFP via Getty ImagesAtalanta's Slovenian midfielder Josip Ilicic (C) scores during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Valencia CF and Atalanta at Estadio Mestalla, played in an empty stadium, on March 10, 2020 in Valencia.
- Emilio Andreoli/Getty ImagesAn empty stadium is seen following fans not being able to attend the match due to coronavirus precautions prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Brescia Calcio at Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore on March 9, 2020 in Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Marco Luzzani/Getty ImagesA steward looks on from an empty stand during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 8, 2020 in Milan, Italy.
- JUAN MANUEL SERRANO ARCE/Getty ImagesSoccer players play on inside the empty stadium as fans stay away due to coronavirus precautions during the Liga match between SD Eibar SAD and Real Sociedad at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on March 10, 2020 in Eibar, Spain.
- DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty ImagesBrazil's and Canada's female soccer players line up in an empty stadium prior to the 2020 "Tournoi de France" women's soccer tournament match between the two countries, held behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus, at the Epopee Stadium in Calais, northern France, on March 10, 2020.
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Running back Carter Martez of the LA Wildcats dives into the end zone past the defense of inside linebacker Jameer Thurman of the DC Defenders for a 2-point conversion in the second quarter of the XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park.
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By Dennis Young
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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Weeks after ending its season because of the coronavirus, the XFL has fired all of its employees. ESPN reported that the league was “suspending operations,” while an employee told NFL Network that the league said it was “shut down.”
The league was five games into its ten-game schedule when the virus shut down its season on March 12. That freed up its players to sign with NFL teams; the Giants already signed defensive back Dravon Askew-Henry.
COO Jeffrey Pollock told the XFL employees they were losing their jobs on a company-wide conference call Friday, according to multiple reports.
It’s the second straight year with a short-lived spring football league. The XFL played from Feb. 8 through March 8, while the AAF played from Feb. 9 through March 31 in 2019.
The XFL, owned by the WWE’s Vince McMahon, said that hadn’t yet determined if there would be a 2021 season. “Given the uncertainty of the current environment, the XFL has suspended operations and is evaluating next steps,” the WWE said in a statement. One staffer told ESPN that “It’s done. It’s not coming back.”
That seems like the likeliest outcome. The league refunded its 2021 season ticket holders, according to Sports Business Journal.
The league, which had eight teams and a ten-week schedule, incorporated some innovative and watchable rules changes. The most prominent was the elimination of the extra point. Teams could go for one point from the two-yard line, two from the five, or three from the ten. Kicking and punting were also radically different.
Most sports leagues around the world are suspended or canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The XFL may be the first to go out of business.
