Even in a time when all major sports in the United States of America have been canceled or postponed, there is a sign of hope for the state of Washington when things finally return to normal.&nbsp;Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill on Wednesday that will allow legalized sports betting at tribal casinos within The Evergreen State. There really wasn’t much of a fight, as the bill was passed by both houses of the Legislature.“This will allow people to participate in a new gaming activity that is safe and well-regulated by the tribes,” said Inslee as he signed the bill.&nbsp;<div class="widget" id="widget-5e7cc085afef255e7880d975" data-article-id="5e7cbfc2afef255e7880d89b"></div>In addition, Washington Indian Gaming Association Executive Director Rebecca Kaldor thanked Inslee for supporting the bill.“The revenue generated by tribal gaming funds critical needs in our communities,” said Kaldor. “Tribal communities and governments are currently dealing with the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. As we recover from this crisis, the addition of the amenity will help tribal governments fund the essential services their members will need to get back up on their feet.”Supporters of the bill have been adamant about the fact that illegal sports betting has already been going on within the state of Washington. In fact, legalizing the activity puts bettors in a better spot to be responsible, while the state earns profits in the same breath as well.&nbsp;<h2>Good Place To Start</h2>It makes plenty of sense that Washington’s tribal casinos are a great place for the state to start. After all, they already have the necessary space and infrastructure to get things moving in an efficient manner.While the tribal casinos are a great place to get legalized sports betting up and running, it also gives them a ton of power within the state – and there are plenty of people who will object to this ruling. Smaller commercial card-room casinos will definitely take a big hit.&nbsp;Nevada-based Maverick Gaming, which acquired 19 of Washington’s 44 commercial card-room casinos within the last year, was the main opposition of the bill. Maverick believes that their venues should also have a say in what goes on in the competitive sports-betting market.&nbsp;Washington is in danger of having its power crippled in the sports betting world, much like that of Florida in the opposite corner of the country. Florida is basically at the mercy of the Seminole Tribe, a Native American group that has run every channel of gambling within the state for decades.&nbsp;<h2>Lots Of Sports</h2>Seattle has become a major hotbed for professional sports over the last few decades, thanks in part to their raucous crowd for most of these home games. The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the most popular teams in the NFL, led by Russell Wilson at quarterback.&nbsp;MLB’s Seattle Mariners haven’t been great over the last decade, but this city has already shown how much support they’re willing to give when the team was winning tons of games in the 1990s and 2000s.&nbsp;Not to mention, Seattle is getting a brand new NHL expansion franchise in the 2021-22 season and has heavily supported the MLS and XFL teams there as well.&nbsp;Unfortunately, there will be no wagering on collegiate teams from the state of Washington. That means no Washington Huskies, Washington State Cougars, or Gonzaga Bulldogs games can be bet on at any time during their respective seasons.&nbsp;<div class="widget" id="widget-5e7cc0e8afef255e7880d9ad" data-article-id="5e7cbfc2afef255e7880d89b"></div>It’s a very exciting time for a lot of these newer states throwing their hats into the sports-betting universe. Of course, things will be a lot more exciting when sports finally get back to normal and in full swing of things.&nbsp;The legalization of sports betting is great for the state of Washington, but you have to feel for these residents. It’s almost like they can’t open their Christmas gifts until Easter.&nbsp;

Even in a time when all major sports in the United States of America have been canceled or postponed, there is a sign of hope for the state...

Washington Governor Allows Sports Betting After Signing Bill

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With only a few obscure sports left to bet on, many wondered if Washington, D.C., would continue to push forward on America’s newest favorite activity. After all, the nation’s capital has been immersed in this awkward legal tug of war going on for a little over a year now.&nbsp;To waste all of those efforts would be a slap in the face of all the people that worked hard to make this happen.&nbsp;Sure, the coronavirus outbreak has put a screeching halt to the sports world. However, the show must go on, and newer markets need to be tapped into.&nbsp;According to the D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming, Washington, D.C. will be ready to go for legalized sports betting at the end of March.&nbsp;“I told a couple of our IT guys to put on fencing suits, and we could stream it,” said Joe Asher, one of the chief executives over at William Hill. “Obviously, I’m kidding, but this is all we’re doing: trying to find content for people to bet on.”&nbsp;William Hill, who is one of the top sportsbooks in the country, only did about 20 percent of its usual business of March 14 – the first Saturday after most of the professional leagues suspended play indefinitely.&nbsp;<h2>Needs Improvement</h2>Intralot, who has been at the forefront of D.C.’s delay to give the green light for sports betting could cause another set of problems. A couple of weeks ago, Montana finally went live with their sports betting plan, and the reviews were not great.&nbsp;Many sports bettors were upset to learn that the moneyline odds offered by Intralot were quite inflated, and not in favor of the ones placing the wagers.&nbsp;<div class="widget" id="widget-5e7a3552afef255e787c9d59" data-article-id="5e7a3215afef255e787c959b"></div>Because sports betting is considered a lottery game, Intralot was the only company possible supplier. On the contrary, Washington, D.C. had a few other options. However, they did end up going with Intralot because a council member had ties to a consulting firm that accepted money from the company to make the deal happen.&nbsp;After the fiasco in pricing from Montana, bettors should certainly be worried about those moneyline prices coming to their area. Not to mention, with most of the popular sports on hiatus, some of these bettors can get taken for a ride with no knowledge of sports like cricket and Mexican soccer left on the menu.&nbsp;“We are revising our launch strategy now based on the current state of world events/no games happening, but we will be ready to fully debut our sportsbook when it is safe for the sports world to return to the court, field, etc.,” said Nicole Jordan, the director of marketing and communications for the D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming.&nbsp;<h2>Other Sportsbooks</h2>Luckily, Intralot probably won’t be the only operator in D.C. when things finally get settled down. Bars, restaurants and sporting arenas/fields are allowed to apply for Class A and B licenses.&nbsp;Unfortunately, those places won’t have the mobile sports betting options in D.C. like Intralot and will be geofenced to make sure it doesn’t happen.&nbsp;William Hill will be partnering with Monumental Sports to create a sportsbook in Capital One Arena – home of the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards.&nbsp;While it is great that Washington, D.C. will finally have sports betting on the menu, the hungry people can’t even sit down at the restaurant to eat just yesterday. It’s likely going to be some time before D.C. residents get a fair shake at getting fair and reliable lines to bet on. Luckily, sports don’t look like they’ll be coming back anytime soon.&nbsp;In the meantime, the nation’s capital can make things more fair for its residents.&nbsp;

With only a few obscure sports left to bet on, many wondered if Washington, D.C., would continue to push forward on America’s newest...

D.C. Continues To Move Forward With App

For fans in the Boston area, the unthinkable became a reality when Tom Brady left the New England Patriots to continue his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the hole left in the heart of the New England fanbase is robust, the hole at the quarterback position is the more pressing matter.Many of the QB dominos have fallen into place already. One such domino is Bryan Hoyer, who the Patriots are bringing in on a one-year deal. Hoyer joins Jarrett Stidham and Cody Kessler in the quarterback room.However, most of the big-name free agents at the sport’s most important position have gone elsewhere:<ul><li>Philip Rivers became a Colt on a one-year deal.</li><li>Dak Prescott was franchise tagged by the Cowboys.</li><li>Drew Brees returned to the Saints on a two-year deal.</li><li>Brady joined the Bucs on a two-year contract.</li><li>Ryan Tannehill agreed to a four-year deal with the Titans.</li><li>Teddy Bridgewater came to terms with the Panthers on a three-year deal.</li></ul> That last point of free agency news was a big one for former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who now finds himself on the outside looking in on the Carolina starting quarterback job.After signing Bridgewater, the Panthers gave Newton permission to seek a trade. So, are the stars aligning for Newton to become a Patriot?<h2>QB Options for New England</h2>No quarterback will be able to replace the 20 years of greatness Brady provided to the Pats, but they’re in dire need of addressing their QB situation as we prepare for the 2020 NFL season.Let’s take a look at some of the moves Bill Belichick and the Pats could make.Option No. 1: The Patriots could do nothing. With three quarterbacks on the roster, one of which is a veteran with years of experience (Hoyer), the Patriots could enter the upcoming season with a bridge to their next QB.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e78b7d1afef255e78798824" data-article-id="5e78b646afef255e7879859c"></div>Who knows? Stidham may be the next great quarterback, and Belichick will have outsmarted us all once again.Option No. 2: Go for a QB in the draft. To obtain one of the top quarterbacks, the Pats would need to pull off a big trade. However, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Belichick get it done.Right now, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is a -3500 favorite to go first overall, making him a virtual lock to become a Bengal in just over a month.The next QB on the board is Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, who owns the second-best odds (+210) of being drafted second, and the best odds (-110) of going third overall. So, it’s highly unlikely the Pats would be able to move up that far.However, there are another couple of quarterbacks moving up the rankings that Belichick may have his eye on. Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Utah State’s Jordan Love appear to be hot commodities as we near the draft.The over/under on Herbert’s draft placement is 5.5, and the over/under on Love’s draft position is 13.5.Option No. 3: Jameis Winston is now out of a starting job after Brady joined Tampa Bay. So, a swap for Winston would make reasonable sense in the eyes of many.However, it’s hard to see Belichick going for a guy who threw 30 interceptions a year ago. Even with the talent to throw for more than 30 touchdowns, Belichick is more likely to rely on defense and special teams with a game manager under center.Option No. 4: While there are plenty of other options for the Patriots, a likely one is bringing in Newton after pulling off a value trade. Would anyone be surprised to see Belichick wait a couple of months for the Panthers to drop the price on Newton before acquiring the QB for next to nothing?While Newton may not be Belichick’s ideal quarterback, he’s led a team to the Super Bowl and is the best quarterback on the market when healthy.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e78b93dafef255e78798b50" data-article-id="5e78b646afef255e7879859c"></div>For now, the Patriots are tied with the Broncos with the fourth-best odds of +750 to become Newton’s next team. Ahead of the Pats are the Redskins (+200), Jaguars (+300), and Dolphins (+300).

For fans in the Boston area, the unthinkable became a reality when Tom Brady left the New England Patriots to continue his NFL career...

Are Patriots Set To Replace Brady With Newton?

Folks, we may have just seen it all at this point. During the coronavirus outbreak, people have been told to stay inside their homes, which has made for some of the most interesting forms of entertainment.&nbsp;Sports bettors, in particular, are finding just how far they're willing to go to make an extra buck.&nbsp;With everything, including the NCAA Tournament and all of March Madness, being canceled or suspended, the masses have now started betting on the weather. Yes, the weather. In fact, you can bet on anything from temperatures to wind gusts. How exciting.&nbsp;"We're trying to cope with the loss of sports," said Pat Morrow, the head oddsmaker for Bovada Sportsbook. "You're probably talking about an individual loss of freedom, people are going to start feeling a cooped up more sooner than later and if we can just have those little breaks, whether it's betting on something silly ... we're all just trying to find different outlets to forget what's happening."Not only is weather on the table, but we're also starting to see certain television shows like American Idol, Westworld and Big Brother make their way into the market. Options like certain songs on American Idol to who's doing what on Westworld to who's getting booted next on Big Brother are all for the taking.&nbsp;"I have a feeling they're not the sharpest lines so there's probably some opportunities there for players," laughed Morrow.In fact, the German version of Big Brother has a bit of a conundrum on its hands. The show, which is predicated on seclusion, hasn't even told the contestants yet about the coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;<div class="widget" id="widget-5e738389afef255e786fe89c" data-article-id="5e73821cafef255e786fe62c"></div>Bettors will have quite the field day dealing with that bit of information and then watching it run like wildfire.&nbsp;<h2>Political Bets</h2>In addition to the television shows, we're even starting to see an influx of betting options for the presidential elections coming up."We're allowing ourselves an opportunity ... to not take ourselves too seriously, to try and inject some levity in there, we're trying to put some stuff out there that'll be a little fun," said Morrow. "Just for our own sanity and mental health, it's great we have that opportunity to do that, and hopefully, for a lot of players we can provide an outlet."&nbsp;Who knows? Perhaps, this could bring some people that don't usually bet on games into a different way of thinking about wagering. After all, we're in a totally different world at the time.&nbsp;However, other countries are still rolling ahead with their games as scheduled.&nbsp;"Turkey and South America still has a very large sports schedule," said Morrow. "So soccer and basketball that's taking place in Argentina and Brazil that wouldn't have as much betting interest prior to where we are on March 17, now we're seeing bettors just because it's basketball just because it's soccer getting engaged in ways they wouldn't otherwise."&nbsp;This is truly a new world that we're all living in. Never did we, as bettors, ever think that international sports and reality TV shows would ever become the thing we're most tuned into.&nbsp;<div class="widget" id="widget-5e738542afef255e786feb10" data-article-id="5e73821cafef255e786fe62c"></div>The NCAA Tournament was supposed to be in full force these next few days, and now we're wondering if Arthur Gunn will do anymore Black Crowes performances – that was about as close as it gets on general American Idol research.&nbsp;Hopefully, this coronavirus scare blows off in a month or two, and everything goes back to normal. In reality, it seems like people are finally starting to realize the sentiment that reads, "you don't know what you have until it's gone."&nbsp;Sports, we truly miss you, baby.&nbsp;

Folks, we may have just seen it all at this point. During the coronavirus outbreak, people have been told to stay inside their homes,...

Sportsbooks Willing To Try Anything During Coronavirus Outbreak

With the recent coronavirus outbreak running wild on the sports betting industry, few have been truly affected like the state of New Jersey. Prior to last week's shutdown of professional sports, The Garden State was neck and neck with Nevada as the top earner in the United States of America.&nbsp;Now, we'll have to resume this battle of which state rules the U.S. at a later date.&nbsp;The start of NCAA college basketball's March Madness was supposed to be the start of something special for the state of New Jersey. March Madness is the silver medalist in terms of earnings from sports betting, only behind the NFL's Super Bowl.&nbsp;With three weeks of high-stakes action, there was surely nothing that would compare to this for the sportsbooks until next year.&nbsp;Not only was March Madness canceled, but just about everything else was as well. All three professional leagues in season (NBA, NHL) or, about to start (MLB), were suspended until further notice.&nbsp;"The ripple effect to sports betting will be profound because this extends so far beyond the sports wagering bubble," said Daniel Wallach, a South Florida-based attorney who deals with sports betting cases. "This is just one subset of a broader impact across every segment of American life, and that is going to have a continued impact."&nbsp;<div class="widget" id="widget-5e70fdd7afef255e786be40f" data-article-id="5e70fb60afef255e786bdfae"></div>Wallach also added, "These are unprecedented times, and the gambling industry will take a huge hit. As will so many industries. So there will be an immediate impact and trickle-down impact over time."&nbsp;<h2>Hoping For More</h2>Even though the sports betting market has grown drastically from this time last year, there was a lot of hope that New Jersey would make another big leap upward. In January, The Garden State's $53.6 million in gross revenues was a 185.2-percent increase from the same time last year.&nbsp;In February, the state had a 54.4-percent increase on $494.8 million wagered, compared to $320.4 million in 2019.&nbsp;With the way the market has been trending upward, March 2020 had the chance to break the $562.7 million record set last December – which also generated a whopping $32.9 million in revenue.&nbsp;This could have been a truly special month of college basketball betting, considering the tournament was wide open for anyone to win this season.&nbsp;Last March was the first time that New Jersey offered legalized sports betting – in particular, the college basketball tournament. During that month, The Garden State raked in about $372 million, which provided a gross revenue of $31.7 million.&nbsp;The Meadowlands, which partners with FanDuel, accounted for $17.5 million of that revenue -- $13.3 million of it coming via online betting.&nbsp;"New Jersey's year-over-year gains remained impressive in February, but we are in uncharted territory now," said Dustin Gouker, a lead analyst for PlayNJ.com. "Obviously there are bigger concerns with coronavirus, but the NBA is a major revenue driver for New Jersey's sportsbooks. So the suspension of the season, in addition to suspensions of other sports, will undoubtedly have a significant effect."&nbsp;When sports get back into the full swing of things, we can probably expect states like Nevada and New Jersey to be at the top of the leaderboard in earnings. After all, things aren't just going to change all of a sudden.&nbsp;If anything, all of the time off from these heavily-bet areas will likely make the masses come out in stronger numbers.&nbsp;It has only been six days since the majority of professional and collegiate sports leagues shut down. In this time frame, you can bet sports fans have already grown irritated and weary about just how long this period of suspension will last.&nbsp;It will be a while, so get ready for that first day that athletic competition comes back in full force.

With the recent coronavirus outbreak running wild on the sports betting industry, few have been truly affected like the state of New...

New Jersey Betting Operators' Next Move Going Forward

As the world of sports grapples with the coronavirus, a rapidly increasing number of people are coming to grips with the idea that traditional sporting events may not be back, with or without fans, until June.This belief stems from the fact that NBA owners are preparing for the league’s return in mid-June at the earliest. According to reports, teams are seriously considering arena dates going into August with the possibility that the postseason could extend the NBA season five months from now.The world is now responding to the global pandemic with widespread shutdowns, and the sports hiatus continues to be extended as leagues around the country and globe take necessary precautions against the spread of the disease.A large step toward these new expectations was the recommendation issued by the Center for Disease Control, or CDC, on Sunday night, which warned against gatherings or events of 50 people or more over the next eight weeks.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6f85e3afef255e7869ccd5" data-article-id="5e6f823fafef255e7869c757"></div>Such a recommendation clearly points to a new reality in which we won’t have fans at sporting events for at least the next two months. And after failing to properly respond to the coronavirus pandemic before it infiltrated teams, sports leagues around the nation and abroad are likely to err on the side of caution going forward.<h2>U.S. Sports Leagues Bracing for Hiatus</h2>One week ago, the sports world was hit by the idea that we could soon be playing games without fans in attendance. Then Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus, and the NBA was suspended minutes later.A rapid succession of events would follow, including the suspension, postponement, or cancellation of many leagues and events around the country.After the NBA suspending operations, the NHL and MLS quickly followed suit. The NCAA canceled its men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments, along with all other winter and spring sporting events.Major League Baseball has already pushed back Opening Day, with another postponement growing in likelihood.It’s been less than a week since Gobert’s positive test marked the beginning of a response to the situation that would escalate beyond the expectations of most. Now, we live in a world without sports for the foreseeable future, with a likelihood of a return in June as the CDC’s latest recommendation is digested by leagues and fans.In a statement regarding their recommendation, the CDC said, “This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus.”<h2>Sports Betting Revolves Around the Unfamiliar&nbsp;</h2>With the shutdown of virtually all U.S. sports leagues, gambling has been forced to shift its focus elsewhere. For those aiming to place a bet, unfamiliar territory will have to be waded into.Among some of today’s most popular betting options on FanDuel Sportsbook are a Turkish soccer game between Goztepe and Rizespor, a Russian hockey game between Sibir Novosibirsk and HC Barys, and a National Rugby League contest between the Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles.Also featured among the sportsbook’s most popular bets are a slate of contests in a sport some expect to rise over the coming weeks: darts.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6f84eeafef255e7869caaf" data-article-id="5e6f823fafef255e7869c757"></div>Because a darts competition can be held with small groups and televised around the world, it’s a candidate to remain throughout the extended sports hiatus affecting most other leagues. And because it features a familiar event to most casual sports fans around the world, it’s something many spectators can easily pick up.So, if you’re eager to place a bet over a competitive sporting event, it might be time to dive into the world of darts.

As the world of sports grapples with the coronavirus, a rapidly increasing number of people are coming to grips with the idea that traditional...

No Fans At Sporting Events Until June?

Within 24 hours, Major League Baseball was forced to change its stance regarding the start of the regular season in the wake of the coronavirus explosion.Wednesday morning, MLB officials were saying that spring training would continue, Opening Day would remain on March 26, and those first games would get underway with fans in attendance. Now, spring training games have been suspended, and the start of the 2020 season will be delayed by at least two weeks.In an official statement, the MLB said it "will announce the effects on the schedule at an appropriate time and will remain flexible as events warrant, with the hope of resuming normal operations as soon as possible."<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6bac1eafef255e7864e146" data-article-id="5e6baa46afef255e7864de6d"></div>According to commissioner Rob Manfred, the plan was finalized during a conference call held between him and MLB ownership on Thursday afternoon.For now, it's unclear whether or not every team will play 162 regular-season games, or if a shortened schedule will be put in place.Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NBA, MLS, NHL, and NCAA, all of which have postponed or canceled events because of the coronavirus pandemic.Just days after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus, the sports world is effectively entering a lockdown of sorts with the aim of stopping the spread of the disease and protecting its employees.<h2>Potential Opening Day Far From Definitive</h2>There's now far more uncertainty than definitiveness permeating throughout the world of sports, which is why a tentative Opening Day of April 9 is already in jeopardy.While speaking at his team's camp in Arizona, Seattle Mariners owner John Stanton said, "We're ultimately all people. We all love the game of baseball, but this is a far bigger issue for all of us right now, and we're trying to work our way through it together. I believe that this is going to be something that will have a lot more twists and turns to it."Many are already pushing for a start date in May, as well as playing games without fans in attendance when the season gets underway. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is one such person recommending those parameters."All of the owners that I spoke with told me they completely understood and were more than willing to comply with this guidance," Pritzker said. "I want to thank them for putting the health and safety of the residents of our state above all else."With a postponement of at least two weeks, the MLB will experience its first delay of Opening Day since 1995, when a strike pushed back the start of the season to April 2.<h2>Players Beginning to Voice Support for Delay</h2>What many would have called an overreaction only a few days ago is now being praised by fans and players alike. By postponing the start of its season, the MLB is doing its part in a worldwide effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6bae01afef255e7864e5da" data-article-id="5e6baa46afef255e7864de6d"></div>While the move felt both necessary and inevitable after virtually every other major sports league announced delays or cancelations, players are still voicing their contentment with the decision."It's unfortunate, but I think it's the proper measure we need to take now given the situation the country's in and the world's in," said Yankees slugger Carlos Stanton. "It's important to know that some things are bigger than baseball, bigger than sports at the moment."Of the delay, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price said, "It's gotta happen. This is so much bigger than sports. I've got two kids."When the MLB season gets underway, we'll finally get a look at the World Series favorites. While the Dodgers lead the way with odds of +380, they're in a virtual tie with the +390 Yankees.

Within 24 hours, Major League Baseball was forced to change its stance regarding the start of the regular season in the wake of the coronavirus...

MLB Delays Season By Two Weeks In Response To Pandemic

With just under four weeks remaining in the regular season, the NHL has suspended its season due to the coronavirus pandemic.At this time, there is no set plan for the Stanley Cup playoffs, although one potential option would include extending the postseason into July to allow for a full competition.For now, the focus is on the health and safety of players, staffs, and fans, as the NHL joins other major sports leagues by closing operations. In a statement issued Thursday, the NHL said, "it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time."The decision to suspend the season came after the NBA took the same course of action following the positive test of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert. Later, Gobert's teammate, Donovan Mitchell, also tested positive for the coronavirus.The NHL had been preparing to suspend all operations Thursday morning when it told teams not to hold morning skates or team activities. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he'd personally come to the conclusion that a stoppage was needed on Wednesday evening, but he wanted to confer with the board of governors before confirming the pause."We were constantly evolving our strategy about our teams playing or not playing," Bettman said. "But last night, when the NBA had a positive test, and they had to cancel a game at that moment, it was clear to me – and through all of our calculus, we knew – that once a player tested positive it would be a game-changer. I decided to get ahead of it."<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6ba93dafef255e773b84d5" data-article-id="5e6ba5f8afef255e7864d64a"></div><h2>Higher Risk Due To Close Proximity To NBA</h2>While it's highly likely the NHL would have suspended operations anyway, the league had more incentive to halt their season because many NHL teams share arenas and locker rooms with NBA teams."In all likelihood, we weren't going to get through the rest of the season without a player testing positive," Bettman said, "particularly because the Utah Jazz had used locker rooms within 24 hours of our teams using the same locker rooms in buildings that we share with the NBA."Since the beginning of March, the Jazz have played in arenas shared with an NHL team in Detroit, New York, and Boston. Additionally, the Jazz played the Raptors, who share an arena with the Maple Leafs in Toronto.The Tampa Bay Lightning also followed the Jazz in two arenas last weekend.&nbsp;However, Bettman said he has no knowledge of an NHL player testing positive or being monitored for the coronavirus as of Thursday.<h2>NHL Players, Coaches Voice Opinions</h2>In an official statement, the NHL players' union said, "The decision to temporarily suspend play due to the COVID-19 pandemic is an appropriate course of action at this time."That sentiment has largely been echoed throughout the sport by players and coaches. "In a time like this, it is important we continue to listen to experts whose job it is to maintain the safety and well-being of the population until the issue stabilizes," said Bruins center Patrice Bergeron."Public health and safety are a priority at a time like this," said Edmonton captain Connor McDavid. "As players, we support the NHL and NHLPA's decision to suspend the season for the safety of the teams and their fans."<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6ba909afef255e7864dc15" data-article-id="5e6ba5f8afef255e7864d64a"></div>St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube added his concern about returning to the ice. "You can practice as much as you want, but without playing games, it is difficult," Berube said. "It's a bigger issue than a hockey game. We have to deal with what we have to. We have to keep ourselves in shape and as sharp as we can if we start up again."Berube's Blues are currently tied with the Golden Knights with the fourth-best odds of winning the Stanley Cup. The +600 Bruins hold a slight edge over the +700 Lightning and the +850 Avalanche.&nbsp;

With just under four weeks remaining in the regular season, the NHL has suspended its season due to the coronavirus pandemic.At this...

NHL Suspends Season, Could Push Playoffs Into July

As Major League Baseball copes with the spread of the coronavirus, the home openers of the Dodgers, Padres, and Athletics are now in jeopardy following California’s recommendation for a statewide limit on large gatherings.According to reports, the MLB has been strongly urging teams to develop contingency plans for at least two weeks in the wake of the disease. Now, it appears several series will have to be moved if the MLB will avoid the postponement or cancellation of Opening Day games.For now, the focus remains on California teams after the state’s recent decree. “Large gatherings that include 250 people or more should be postponed or canceled,” according to the California Department of Public Health.The decree states that these precautions should be taken into consideration through at least the month of March. The Dodgers are scheduled to host the Giants and Rockies through the opening stretch of the season, which kicks off in late March.While Oakland is set to face off against Minnesota and Houston to conclude this month, San Diego is scheduled to play the Rockies and Braves.As of right now, any game to be played in California in March is now unlikely to occur in its current iteration. Furthermore, additional action taken by MLB could impact the start of the regular season around the league.<h2>Major Sports Leagues Facing Big Decisions</h2>Following the positive coronavirus test of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, the NBA has decided to suspend its regular season for the foreseeable future. The NHL has stated it will announce its immediate plans after a league meeting on Thursday.Now, it appears Major League Baseball could be the next major sports league to face league-wide suspension or postponement.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6a6c40afef255e78631f61" data-article-id="5e6a6881afef255e7863188f"></div>According to reports, MLB is expected to face heavy pressure to push back Opening Day in light of the most recent coronavirus outbreak. As the list of players testing positive for the coronavirus continues to grow throughout the sports world, baseball will aim to avoid the disease’s infiltration.In addition to Gobert, Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell, Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, and more players in the realm of athletics have contracted the coronavirus.The latest news to break is the suspension of all men’s professional tennis tournaments for six weeks by the ATP.These recent developments further call into question the start of the MLB season, which is now just two weeks away.As other leagues push toward caution in light of the disease’s spread, there’s a growing likelihood that Major League Baseball will be forced to follow suit and delay the beginning of play.<h2>Dodgers, Yankees Favorites for 2020 Season</h2>While the entirety of baseball fandom will be eager for the sport to get underway, fans of the Dodgers and Yankees may have an added excitement for the season ahead.According to the odds, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are currently the favorites to win the World Series. With odds of +380, the Dodgers are slightly ahead of the Yankees, who own odds of +390.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6a6c96afef255e78631ffa" data-article-id="5e6a6881afef255e7863188f"></div>In the wake of their cheating scandal, the Astros are on an island with the third-best odds of +700 entering the new season. Houston is followed by Atlanta (+1400), Minnesota (+1600), and Washington (+1800).Of course, it’s currently unclear how any suspension or postponement of the start of the MLB season could impact the number of games played or the odds of winning a World Series. We’ll have to wait and see how the league will handle the opening of the 2020 season.As the virus continues to spread, expect more delays within the world of sports.&nbsp;

As Major League Baseball copes with the spread of the coronavirus, the home openers of the Dodgers, Padres, and Athletics are now in...

MLB Season Openers In Jeopardy Following California Order, Coronavirus Spread

MLB Season Openers In Jeopardy Following California Order,...

Immediately following the news that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert preliminarily tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday night, the NBA suspended the 2019-20 season.The Jazz were in Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder Wednesday evening. While the arena was filling with fans, both teams were going through their final warmups on the court. A Jazz medical staffer ran out onto the floor to share Gobert's positive test, and preparations were halted moments before the tip.In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the NBA announced the league's suspension would begin after the conclusion of the night's games."The NBA will use this hiatus to determine the next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic," the league's statement added.According to reports, the league has scheduled a call with the board of governors for 12:30 pm Eastern, which is when the NBA is expected to discuss their upcoming course of action with teams.Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was captured on camera when first receiving news of the suspension. Much like any NBA fan, Cuban's expression was one of shock. "It seemed more like out of a movie than reality," Cuban said.Cuban would go on to voice his support for commissioner Adam Silver. "I trust Adam," Cuban said. "You know what? It's really not about basketball or money. Literally, if this thing is exploding to the point where all of a sudden, players and others have had it, you think about your family."<h2>NBA's Immediate Protocol</h2>While it's become apparent that the rules can and should be expected to change at a moment's notice, teams were told they could continue practicing following Wednesday's games.Additionally, the NBA recommended that players should not have visitors from out of town.Regarding Gobert and the Utah Jazz, players were quarantined within the arena immediately following the canceled contest. Before returning to Utah, the team was to coordinate with both the Oklahoma and Utah public health organizations.According to reports, players on teams that played the Jazz within the past 10 days have been told to self-quarantine. The teams include:<ul><li>Cleveland Cavaliers</li><li>New York Knicks</li><li>Boston Celtics</li><li>Detroit Pistons</li><li>Toronto Raptors</li></ul>At this point, it's unclear what sort of testing is being done with the players on those teams. However, it's become abundantly clear that the NBA is now taking every precaution to protect its players, staff, and teams.At this stage, there is roughly 20% of the regular season schedule remaining. More specifically, there are 259 games that are now in jeopardy following the league-wide suspension.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6a46c6afef255e7731cac4" data-article-id="5e6a45e0afef255e7862db88"></div>For now, it's unclear if or when the NBA season will resume.<h2>Reactions From Around the NBA</h2>The news of the NBA's suspension spread during the final quarter of the Hornets-Heat game in Miami. Speaking before his team played, Charlotte coach James Borrego said, "These are scary times."Scary, unbelievable, and unprecedented seem to be the underlying sentiments regarding the NBA's suspension of the current season.However, most involved have voiced their support for Silver and the NBA league office. "We believe in the leadership of the league," said Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand.Langston Galloway of the Pistons, which is one of the teams told to self-quarantine after having played the Jazz within the last 10 days, spoke on the situation, saying, "I'm sure I probably had contact with (Gobert). But at the same time, like I said, (I'm) just taking precautions."<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6a4718afef255e7862ddf1" data-article-id="5e6a45e0afef255e7862db88"></div>As far as betting goes, books are currently not offering any live odds. Apart from outliers, all bets on games that were canceled Wednesday night have or are in the process of being refunded.Before the suspension of the 2019-20 season, the Bucks were favored to win the NBA Finals with odds of +230. The Lakers (+280) and Clippers (+350) led the Western Conference teams in title odds.

Immediately following the news that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert preliminarily tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday...

NBA Suspends 2019-20 Season Over Coronavirus

Seven of the eight teams currently earning a playoff position in the Western Conference will feel they have a chance to reach the NBA Finals. On Wednesday night, four of those teams will face off as the Thunder welcome to Jazz to Oklahoma City while the Nuggets head to Dallas for a showdown with the Mavericks.While the Lakers lead the conference with a record of 49-14, the second-seed Clippers (44-20) and seventh-seed Mavericks (39-27) are separated by just five wins.So, nights like this one will play a big part in determining the final seeding once the playoffs are upon us.Let’s dive into both of this evening’s vital Western Conference matchups.<h2>Identical Home-Away Records Clash</h2>With a record of 41-23, the Jazz currently hold the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Tonight, the 40-24 Thunder will have a chance to pull themselves level with Utah as they host one of the league’s best road teams.An added bit of interest in this matchup stems from the fact that these two teams would meet in the first round of the playoffs if their respective seeding doesn’t change.For now, the Jazz will feel comfortable on the road. They can boast a record of 20-13 away from home. Meanwhile, the Thunder are 20-13 in their own building. Something must give.Although the Jazz are coming off a loss to the Raptors, they’ve won five of their last six overall and are riding a six-game winning streak on the road.The Thunder are aiming to extend their current three-game winning streak and have won 17 of their last 22 games, thanks in large part to the recent dominance of veteran Chris Paul.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e69089dafef255e7861431f" data-article-id="5e690418afef255e78613e40"></div><h2>Nuggets Aim To Move Up With Win Over Mavs</h2>While the two Los Angeles clubs remain the favorites to win the Western Conference, the Nuggets are proving that they’re the biggest threat to the Lakers and Clippers.For now, the 43-21 Nuggets trail the 44-20 Clippers. With a win tonight in Dallas, Denver would climb even closer to the second seed. To do so, Nikola Jokic and company will have to get by Luka Doncic.Denver and Dallas have played twice this season, splitting the series thus far. Over those contests, Jokic averaged 21.5 points, 8.5 assists, and eight rebounds, which is a fair deal better than his nine-point average over the last two games.Meanwhile, Doncic is averaging 37 points over his last two games despite failing to lead his team to victory in either contest.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6908bdafef255e78614321" data-article-id="5e690418afef255e78613e40"></div><h2>What The Odds Tell Us</h2>We all know the Western Conference is set up as Lakers, Clippers, and then everybody else. But who has a real chance to represent the conference in the NBA Finals according to the odds?The cutoff between contenders and pretenders appears to be at +1000, where the Nuggets own the fifth-best odds. Just ahead of the Nuggets are the Jazz, sporting odds of +950.Both Denver and Utah trail the +165 Lakers, the +190 Clippers, and the +700 Rockets.After those five teams, the odds skyrocket. With the sixth-best odds to win the Western Conference, the Mavericks are on an island at +2100. The Thunder trail behind the Mavs with odds of +4800.So, the odds are telling us that Denver and Utah are contenders, and Dallas and Oklahoma City are pretenders.

Seven of the eight teams currently earning a playoff position in the Western Conference will feel they have a chance to reach the NBA...

Big Night In The West: Jazz Take On Thunder; Mavericks Host Nuggets

Best Night In The West: Jazz Take On Thunder; Mavericks Host Nuggets

Interim coach Jacque Vaughn had only a single game under his belt in charge of the Brooklyn Nets before taking his team into Los Angeles to face off against the Lakers. After making a coaching change, nobody expected Brooklyn to compete with the Western Conference leaders.Boasting a 23-7 record at home, the Lakers were an 11.5-point favorite over the visiting Nets, who carried their 11-20 away record into Los Angeles.None of that seemed to matter much as&nbsp;the teams went back and forth over the next 48 game minutes.After a strong first quarter, the Lakers were bested by the Nets over the next two periods of play, including a 31-22 third. By holding Brooklyn to just 17 points in the fourth quarter, the comeback was on.It was all set up so perfectly for Los Angeles, which had a two-point deficit in the final moments.LeBron James received an in-bound pass with five seconds remaining in the contest. He drove left and passed the ball to an open Anthony Davis, who launched a three-pointer with one second on the clock.The shot would miss its target, and the Nets would upset the Lakers by a score of 104-102.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e68fbacafef255e77299f60" data-article-id="5e68f98bafef255e78612edc"></div>James’ 29 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists and Davis’ 26 points and eight rebounds weren’t enough to earn the victory. Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert led the Nets with 23 and 22 points, respectively.<h2>Can the Nets Make Noise In Playoffs?</h2>With stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving sitting out the rest of the season, the Nets’ true championship aspirations will kick off at the start of the 2020-21 season. However, Brooklyn will have a chance to pull off a postseason upset and make some noise before this year is in the books.At 30-34, the Nets currently own the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. They hold just a half-game lead over the 30-35 Magic but are well ahead of the 24-40 Wizards, who are the first team outside the eight playoff spots.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e68fa6aafef255e78612f9c" data-article-id="5e68f98bafef255e78612edc"></div>Depending on how the top of the conference shakes out, the Nets could wind up facing the Bucks, Raptors, or Celtics in the first round of the postseason. Do they have a chance to advance?While Brooklyn doesn’t figure to threaten 53-12 Milwaukee, it shouldn’t be written off against Toronto or Boston. The Nets have taken down the Celtics twice, included an overtime win earlier this month, and have beaten the Raptors once this season.And after proving themselves against a team like the Lakers, who are the favorites to win the Western Conference, Brooklyn may very well be able to push a series to the limit against the right opponent when the playoffs come around.<h2>Vegas Still Calling Brooklyn A Longshot</h2>The Eastern Conference feels stacked at the top, at least compared to recent years. Beyond Milwaukee, teams like Toronto, Boston, and Miami have shown signs of greatness this season. Even the likes of Indiana and Philadelphia are solid teams with championship aspirations.So, it’s no surprise to see this version of the Nets – without Durant and Irving – as longshots in the eyes of oddsmakers.While they’re not the +150000 longshots the Knicks are, the Nets are still longshots to win the conference no matter how you slice it.However, Brooklyn is apparently a tough team to evaluate. While some books have the Nets at +15000, others are giving this team more respect by sticking them with odds of +4000.Meanwhile, the Bucks remain the heavy favorite to win the Eastern Conference with odds of -200. Rounding out the top are the +500 Celtics, +650 Raptors, +900 Heat, and +1000 76ers.For now, it appears a first-round upset is the best-case scenario for the Nets.

Interim coach Jacque Vaughn had only a single game under his belt in charge of the Brooklyn Nets before taking his team into Los Angeles...

Nets Stun Lakers; Brooklyn A Threat In The East?

Nothing lasts forever in the NFL. In the cutthroat business that is professional football, not even an NFL MVP award or an NFC Championship earns you the right to stay with your team for as long as you desire.After nine seasons in Carolina, Cam Newton was released by the Panthers on Tuesday. The decision came a week after the team gave Newton permission to seek a trade — a message Newton disputed by saying the Panthers "forced me into this."The former No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 draft continues to recover from foot surgery after suffering a Lisfranc injury that sidelined the QB for 14 games last season. Newton also required surgery on an injured shoulder that shortened his 2018 season by two games.Due in large part to his recent injury history, Newton hasn't been the same player that won the 2015 NFL MVP award. So, the Panthers and new head coach Matt Rhule decided to move on from Newton and opt for Teddy Bridgewater, who signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the team.By releasing Newton, the Panthers save $19.1 million in cap space, which became necessary with the Bridgewater contract.Newton now faces an uphill battle to find his next team, as the QB can't go into a team facility for a workout or physical as the league continues its shutdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.<h2>Newton Aiming to Resurrect Career</h2>When you look at Newton's career as a whole, it's easy to focus on the highs. After all, he's a league MVP who took his team to a Super Bowl while living up to his No. 1 overall draft selection.However, NFL owners and GMs will be much more attentive to the fact that Newton hasn't been the same QB since he took the Panthers to the sport's biggest game in 2015. Newton's health and production have both declined over the past four seasons.In his first five NFL seasons, Newton earned an NFC Championship title, three Pro Bowl selections, and his MVP award. He also led the Panthers to a record of 12-4 in 2013 and 15-1 in 2015.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e820ad4afef255e788a1650" data-article-id="5e8208b4afef255e788a12db"></div>Since 2015, Newton has failed to reach a Pro Bowl, has only led Carolina to a single winning season (11-5 in 2017) and has gone 23-23 as a starter.And while Newton didn't miss a single game in his first five seasons as a pro, he's missed 17 games since that run to the Super Bowl.<h2>Which Team Will Gamble On Cam?</h2>Although Newton is limited in his ability to show NFL franchises that he's healthy due to the league-wide shutdown, that will be the most important aspect of any potential deal to bring in the former MVP.Former NFL executive Bill Polian thinks Newton may have to wait unless he's willing to take a one-year deal that gives the team plenty of maneuverability. "I wouldn't be willing to give up anything until I knew he was healthy," Polian said.However, Newton is expected to be on a roster at the start of the 2020 season, and it's likely he'll be a starter if healthy. So, who's going to be the team to take a gamble on the quarterback who changed what an NFL quarterback can be?According to the odds, the Chargers are the favorite to land Newton at -150. After Philip Rivers' move to Indianapolis, the Chargers are left with Tyrod Taylor atop the depth chart. A healthy Newton anywhere near his 2015 form would certainly be the favorite to earn the starting spot in Los Angeles.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e820aa0afef255e788a1614" data-article-id="5e8208b4afef255e788a12db"></div>However, Newton to the Chargers is far from a done deal, and teams like Miami and Jacksonville, both of whom own odds of +470 to acquire Newton, are still in the race.Newton's future could be decided by the NFL Draft, when a team like the Dolphins is expected to use a top pick on a rookie QB. Whichever team misses out on a young quarterback is likely to be the one to take a gamble on Newton.

Nothing lasts forever in the NFL. In the cutthroat business that is professional football, not even an NFL MVP award or an NFC Championship...

New Favorite To Land Newton After QB's Release From Carolina

After the blockbuster signing of Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it didn't take long for rumors to begin swirling about the idea that the former New England Patriots QB wanted Tampa Bay to bring in wide receiver Antonio Brown. Head coach Bruce Arians says that won't happen.On the "Tiki and Tierney" show, hosted by Tiki Barber and Brandon Tierney, Arians was asked whether or not Brown to the Bucs was a possibility. "Yeah, it's not gonna happen," Arians said. "There's no room. And probably not enough money. But it's not gonna happen. It's not a fit here."When pressed on whether or not the main obstacle was a lack of trust between Arians and Brown, who worked together in Pittsburgh, Arians said, "Yeah, I just know him, and it's not a fit in our locker room."After Brown's wild training camp and subsequent release from the Raiders last season, the Patriots brought Brown in to play alongside Brady. After one game with New England, in which he caught four passes for 56 yards and a TD, Brown was released.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e7e0563afef255e77aa7f34" data-article-id="5e7e0398afef255e7882a466"></div>Despite speculation that Brady would like the Bucs to get Brown on the roster, that likelihood now looks very small.<h2>Brady's Weapons in Tampa Bay</h2>Apart from his off-field issues, there's no denying that Brown was one of the best receivers in football for much of his time with the Steelers. Yet Tampa Bay is one of the few places in the NFL in which the talents of Brown may not be a distinct upgrade.For all of the Bucs' faults in 2019, providing quarterback Jameis Winston with receiving threats was among the franchise's greatest accomplishments. Winston was able to throw for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns in large part because he had two Pro Bowlers on the outside.Chris Godwin led the team in receiving with 86 catches, 1,333 yards, and nine touchdowns. Mike Evans added another 67 catches for 1,157 yards and eight TDs.And while Tampa Bay's third-leading receiver, Breshad Perriman, is a free-agency departure, the team will still have O.J. Howard at tight end. Howard experienced a mediocre 2019 season but was a touchdown threat in 2017 (six) and 2018 (five).We'll now get to see if Brady can utilize those weapons to raise the Bucs' record from 7-9 in 2019 to a playoff-worthy one in 2020. Many expect him to do just that based on the fact that Winston recorded 30 interceptions a season ago.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e7e058aafef255e7882a8fe" data-article-id="5e7e0398afef255e7882a466"></div><h2>Bucs Remain a Super Bowl Contender</h2>By replacing Winston with Brady under center, the Buccaneers instantly became a championship threat in the eyes of Vegas. However, they're not a favorite just yet.With odds of +1700, Tampa Bay currently sits fifth on the list of Super Bowl contenders. Several of last season's heavyweights stand in their way, including Kansas City (+650), Baltimore (+700), San Francisco (+900), and New Orleans (+1300).For now, the Bucs are slotted just ahead of the Cowboys (+1900), Eagles (+1900), and Seahawks (+1900).Tampa Bay's main obstacle on the road to the Super Bowl is the fact that one of the four teams ahead of them on the list of favorites, New Orleans, is an NFC South rival.&nbsp;However, the addition of another playoff spot in each conference gives the Bucs a better chance of reaching the postseason as a Wild Card. And once Tampa Bay is in the playoffs, Brady's experience and proficiency in single-elimination play could carry this team a long way.In 41 postseason games, Brady is 30-11 with 73 touchdowns and 35 picks. The 42-year-old took home nine AFC Championship titles and six Super Bowl titles in his 20 seasons with New England.Now, the Buccaneers are hoping to extend the future Hall-of-Famer's legacy with another Lombardi Trophy.

After the blockbuster signing of Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it didn't take long for rumors to begin swirling about the idea...

Arians Shuts Down Idea Of Brown To Bucs Amid Speculation

Despite its relatively short season, the NFL has long boasted supremacy over the sports calendar in large part because of the fanfare revolving around the NFL Draft.This key offseason event, which fuels sports media for months at a time, is now in jeopardy after the league’s general manager subcommittee voted 6-1 in favor of recommending that the draft be pushed back amid the coronavirus pandemic.According to reports, GMs are concerned about the ability to conduct psychological testing, player physicals, and additional research in a timely manner.&nbsp;The committee also concluded that some teams would be at a disadvantage by having to conduct the draft from home. While many teams are expected to draft from team facilities, teams in places like New Jersey and California would be in lockdown and unable to leave home.Despite the strong recommendation for a delay, the NFL is currently planning to go ahead with the draft as planned. If no changes are made, the NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25.However, there’s still a month to go before the draft is set to begin, leaving the NFL plenty of time to change its collective mind and delay its main offseason event.<h2>Leaguewide mandate implemented by NFL</h2>In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL is implementing operational and workplace mandates on Wednesday. Among the mandates’ key points was the directive that all team facilities should remain closed, save for a few exceptions of vital personnel.Through a memo sent to teams on Tuesday, commissioner Roger Goodell stated that one objective of these rules was to “ensure that all clubs operate on a level playing field and that the NFL continues to conduct itself in a responsible way at this time.”<div class="widget" id="widget-5e7b7c36afef255e787eadee" data-article-id="5e7b74cdafef255e787ea4e8"></div>According to reports, this new mandate, which was approved by the league’s competition committee, has no end date. Instead, it “will remain in effect until further notice.”However, this mandate is not keeping the NFL from conducting business. Tuesday’s memo stated that “clubs are free to conduct all normal business operations, including signing players, evaluating draft-eligible prospects, selling tickets, and other activities to prepare for the 2020 season” during this time.The NFL now appears to be contradicting itself as it grapples with how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.On one hand, the league is implementing rules that it says are meant to “level the playing field.” On the other hand, the NFL is yet to delay the draft despite a strong recommendation from its GM committee for the very same reason.<h2>Many Expect Four First-Round QBs</h2>We’ll have to wait and see if the NFL pushes back its draft from late April. In the meantime, we have a chance to look at the more intriguing aspects of the biggest offseason event of the year.While there was strong support for the idea that we may have only two quarterbacks drafted in the first round just a couple of months ago, many NFL Draft experts are now expecting four QBs to be taken off the board within the first 31 picks.One thing hasn’t changed: the fact that LSU’s Joe Burrow (-3500) is the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Bengals.We’ve also been hearing that Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa is a top-10 prospect if healthy. For now, Tagovailoa is the favorite to go third overall with odds of -110. That position is currently held by Detroit, but this spot is a candidate for a team to move up and claim their QB.Much of the focus has been on those two college stars, but they now have company in the first round, according to many projections. In fact, they could be joined in the top 10.Oregon’s Justin Herbert has gone through a roller coaster regarding his draft stock over the past couple of years. Currently, he’s expected to go among the first handful of players. The over/under on his draft position is 5.5, which makes him a candidate for the Dolphins, Chargers, or a team willing to move up.The darling of this year’s NFL Draft is clearly Utah State’s Jordan Love, who’s surged up draft boards over the past few months. At this point, Love could easily be drafted in the top half of the first round.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e7b7bebafef255e787eadcd" data-article-id="5e7b74cdafef255e787ea4e8"></div>According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Love’s draft position over/under is 14.5. Tampa Bay holds the 14th pick in the draft and could feel great about their future by taking Love and having him sit behind Tom Brady for a couple of years.

Despite its relatively short season, the NFL has long boasted supremacy over the sports calendar in large part because of the fanfare...

Is NFL Draft In Jeopardy?

While the rest of the sports world pauses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, NFL free agency is opening to a frenzy of deals.Some of the league’s biggest names are on the move as teams sign free agents, make trades, and fill needs as we approach the 2020 NFL Draft.Although free agency officially begins March 18 at 4 pm Eastern, the legal tampering period – allowing teams to discuss deals with free agents and utilize the franchise tag – kicked off on Monday.So, let’s take a look at some of the biggest deals so far.<h2>Brady to Become a Buccaneer</h2>While there’s no signing date or anything official, Tom Brady is expected to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after becoming a free agent for the first time in his 20-year career.The 42-year-old quarterback has repeatedly stated his desire to play until he’s 45, so many expect his deal with the Bucs to keep Brady in Tampa Bay through that deadline.The signing has immediately turned the Buccaneers into championship contenders, as the team has lept up the list of favorites and now owns the fifth-best odds of winning the Super Bowl at +1800.Meanwhile, the Patriots are now searching for a replacement at the sport’s most important position. For the moment, Jarrett Stidham is New England’s leading QB. The 2019 fourth-round pick played at Baylor for three seasons before transferring to Auburn.We’ll have to wait and see if Bill Belichick will proceed with Stidham, or if he’ll make a move for a veteran.Currently, the Patriots are in a trio of teams tied for the eighth-best odds of winning the Super Bowl at +2000. Minnesota and Seattle are level with New England.<h2>Quarterbacks are On the Move</h2>We’ve already discussed Brady’s intention of signing with the Bucs, but what about the rest of the NFL’s QBs?Let’s start with Philip Rivers, who already parted ways with the Chargers earlier in the offseason. A one-year deal with the Colts will bring Rivers to Indianapolis and reunite him with coach Frank Reich.At +2400 odds, the Colts are tied with the Rams for the 14th-best odds to win it all.First-year head coach Matt Rhule continues to make a splash in Carolina as the former Baylor man and his franchise are set to bring in Teddy Bridgewater on a three-year deal in the area of $60 million.In the wake of the Bridgewater signing, the Panthers have given Cam Newton permission to seek a trade. Could we see Newton in a Patriots uniform? We’ll have to wait and see.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e7230afafef255e786dc384" data-article-id="5e722f8aafef255e786dc1a6"></div>Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees are returning to their respective teams. While Prescott was franchise tagged by Dallas, Brees signed a two-year, $50 million deal with New Orleans.Both teams are expected to compete for a championship. The Saints own the fourth-best odds at +1300. The Cowboys are level with the Eagles with the sixth-best odds of +1900.After the Titans signed Ryan Tannehill to a four-year deal, Marcus Mariota has agreed to a deal with the Raiders. Derek Carr could now be on the move with Mariota expected to be the starting QB.<h2>Other Big Names On the Move</h2>A blockbuster trade between the Cardinals and Texans sent running back David Johnson to Houston and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona. That deal was an early indicator of this wild free agency period.The Dolphins are loading up on defense, and former Cowboy Byron Jones is a versatile addition to the unit. Jones’ deal made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.A two-year, $16 million deal will make tight end Jimmy Graham a Bear after he was released by the Packers a week ago.Another big-time trade went down when the Vikings dealt receiver Stefon Diggs to the Bills in exchange for a flurry of draft picks, including a first-rounder.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e7230e0afef255e786dc3dc" data-article-id="5e722f8aafef255e786dc1a6"></div>With the franchise tag keeping Prescott in Dallas, the Cowboys were keen to give their quarterback his biggest weapon. They did so by signing Amari Cooper to a five-year, $100 million deal.Pass rusher Robert Quinn is headed to Chicago on a five-year, $70 million deal. Quinn racked up 11.5 sacks with Dallas last season.The Titans are aiming to load up for another postseason run after placing the franchise tag on running back Derrick Henry. Tennessee has agreed to terms with former sack leader Vic Beasley.The Raiders are scooping up former Cowboys by signing tight end Jason Witten, defensive lineman Maliek Collins, and safety Jeff Heath.Before releasing Devon Kennard, the Lions agreed to terms with former Pats linebacker Jamie Collins.Defensive lineman Gerald McCoy is set to become a Cowboy on a three-year deal, pending a physical.NFL free agency has gotten off to a fast start, but there’s still more to come as teams load up on talent ahead of the 2020 season.

While the rest of the sports world pauses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, NFL free agency is opening to a frenzy of deals.Some...

Wild Opening To NFL Free Agency

While all of the four major sports are suspended until further notice, bettors are looking for new and creative ways to place wagers. In some cases, bettors have taken to other sports like horse racing, cricket or darts – having absolutely no clue what they’re watching. In this latest case, the world of virtual reality has come calling.&nbsp;On Tuesday night, Bleacher Report Betting hosted a Madden 2020 simulation game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. These were the two teams making headlines all over the NFL yesterday, with both of them getting new quarterbacks – Tom Brady going to the Buccaneers while Philip Rivers went to the Colts.&nbsp;And Bleacher Report made it as life-like as possible, putting each of the superstar quarterbacks on their new squads for this matchup.Bleacher Report set a 2.5-point spread in favor of the Buccaneers. The spread was set so that bettors could wager on the game up against their friends.&nbsp;In addition, Bleacher Report gave away three hoodies to the closest guesses on how many combined passing yards there would be with Brady and Rivers.&nbsp;<div class="widget" id="widget-5e722cceafef255e786dbdbb" data-article-id="5e722ad3afef255e77679ac8"></div>The game itself was certainly one that got off to a rocky start. In fact, the first points of the game weren’t scored until there were 40 seconds left in the game – a Tampa Bay field goal. However, things got a lot more exciting after that.&nbsp;Rivers and the Colts took the ball with those 40 seconds left and moved the ball to midfield. There were eight seconds left when Rivers hit running back Nyheim Hines on a check-down pass near the sidelines and got out of bounds with only one tick left on the clock. Then, the unthinkable happened.&nbsp;Rivers chucked the final pass of regulation toward the end zone in a Hail-Mary attempt. In a move that was scripted for a Hollywood ending, Tampa Bay was called for defensive pass interference, which placed the ball at the Bucs’ one-yard line.&nbsp;In a very non-dramatic move, the Colts opted to kick a field goal and send the game into overtime with the score tied at 3-3.&nbsp;<h2>Overtime</h2>Tampa Bay won the coin toss and opted to receive starting the overtime. Rather quickly, Brady marched the Buccaneers downfield and put them into scoring range.&nbsp;After a face-mask penalty deep in Indy territory, the Bucs were sitting there with a first-and-goal opportunity at the Colts' four-yard line. Unfortunately, Brady and the Bucs weren’t able to score and settled for an easy chip-shot field goal.&nbsp;Then, it was time for Rivers and the Colts to get their shot in overtime. And, well, this possession ended just like you thought it would – with Rivers throwing an interception.&nbsp;<h2>Excited Viewers</h2>Viewers were able to watch this all unfold online at Mixer.com. Just about every viewer that tuned seemed to be enjoying themselves. The chat on the right-hand side of the screen was filled with excitement and positive comments from the viewing audience, which is really something you typically don’t get from an online gathering like that.Given the current climate of the country, it’s important for us to have numerous forms of entertainment. After all, we’re coming up on the time of the year when nearly all of the major sports form into one big superpower of entertainment.&nbsp;<div class="widget" id="widget-5e722d81afef255e786dbe6b" data-article-id="5e722ad3afef255e77679ac8"></div>Bleacher Report plans on doing the same thing on Wednesday, asking fans on Twitter which matchup they would like to see the most. No word yet on who the two teams playing will be, but we’d certainly like to see more scoring than the 6-3 game that we saw last night.&nbsp;

While all of the four major sports are suspended until further notice, bettors are looking for new and creative ways to place wagers....

Bleacher Report Finds Fix For Sports Bettors During Coronavirus Shutdown

Bleacher Report Finds Fix For Sports Bettors During Coronavirus...

While the NFL often boasts its dominance over the calendar year, ownership will be happy to relinquish attention as the coronavirus pandemic grips the sports world. However, the NFL’s offseason is well underway, and the league said Thursday it has “no plans to move the start of the league year.”At this point, the 2020 league year is scheduled to begin on March 18. NFL teams must use their franchise tags by the end of Monday, and free agents will be permitted to engage in talks with teams starting Monday.With that being said, the NFL is canceling several events scheduled for the next few weeks, the most notable of which is the annual meeting. The league’s annual meeting was to be held in West Palm Beach, Florida, from March 29 to April 1.The business meant to be held at the canceled annual meeting will be addressed at the spring meeting, scheduled for May 19 and 20. According to the NFL, general managers and head coaches will be involved in that meeting.According to the NFL, “full consideration and votes on any open football issues, including playing rules, bylaws and resolutions, as well as other business matters,” will be a part of the spring meeting.In addition to the annual meeting, the league canceled the HBCU Regional Combine and Regional Combine, which were scheduled to take place at the Dolphins’ training facility later this month.Many NFL teams are also taking necessary precautions by restricting travel for their coaches and scouts as the league continues to monitor the pandemic.<h2>NFL Prospects Facing Impact of Restrictions</h2>In the lead-up to the 2020 NFL Draft, the month of March is a significant one for prospects who typically participate in pro days to showcase their skills to NFL personnel. Those pro days are now likely to be canceled or significantly hindered due to the response to the coronavirus pandemic.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6bb444afef255e7864ee52" data-article-id="5e6bb35cafef255e7864ecce"></div>While the NFL is not yet mandating that coaches, GMs, and scouts skip pro days, teams are already beginning to restrict participation in these vital pre-draft processes.According to reports as early as Wednesday, the Philadelphia Eagles had already made the decision not to send coaches to upcoming pro days. Many other NFL teams are expected to follow suit.Instead of live inspection and interaction with prospects, NFL front offices will lean even more heavily on game tape to evaluate individuals as the sport prepares for the NFL Draft.Additionally, teams are at least considering the possibility of closing team facilities, meaning they’d be unable to fly in and meet with free agents over the coming weeks.<h2>NFL Analysts Awaiting Further Delays</h2>Although the NFL has publicly stated it has no intention of pushing back the start of the league year, most insiders are expecting the most popular sports league in the nation to continue responding to the evolving coronavirus situation with more delays.Because teams are likely to close facilities, they would be unable to meet with free agents in their team building, put those free agents through workouts, and have those players undergo physicals before signing contracts.If players were to be signed, it would then be unlikely that any press conference would be held.<div class="widget" id="widget-5e6bb489afef255e7864eed8" data-article-id="5e6bb35cafef255e7864ecce"></div>All of the above points to a reasonable decision to delay the start of the league year, allowing free agents and teams to focus on the health and safety of themselves and their families rather than conducting NFL business.People around the league are also fearing a delay of the upcoming NFL Draft, which is scheduled to begin on April 23. The NFL is unlikely to make a decision on the draft until April.When the draft gets underway, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is the heavy favorite to be selected No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals with odds of -2200.

While the NFL often boasts its dominance over the calendar year, ownership will be happy to relinquish attention as the coronavirus...

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