March Madness games to be played without spectators, NCAA president announces

NCAA President Mark Emmert announced Wednesday afternoon that the NCAA Tournament will take place with limited attendance.

Only “essential staff and limited family attendance” will be allowed for the men’s and women’s March Madness games, which begin next week, he said.

“While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understand of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States,” Emmert announced.

“This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes.”

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament begins Tuesday with First Four games in Dayton, Ohio. First- and second-round games will take place later in the week in Albany, New York; Spokane, Washington; Greensboro, North Carolina; Omaha, Nebraska; St. Louis; Tampa, Florida; Sacramento, California; and Cleveland.

Regional games will be held in Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Houston and New York, and the Final Four will take place in Atlanta.

The announcement comes as more than 1,100 people in the United States have been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University. There are more than 124,000 cases worldwide.

Emmert made the move following guidance from the NCAA’s COVID-19 advisory panel, which recommended against sporting events open to the public.

“We do believe sports events can take place with only essential personnel and limited family attendance, and this protects the players, employees, and fans,” the panel stated Wednesday.

CBS Sports’ Seth Davis reported the NCAA Tournament games will still be televised.

Emmert said the NCAA is looking to move the Final Four out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has a capacity of 75,000, the Associated Press’ Ralph Russo reported. The Final Four would stay in Atlanta.

The Southeastern Conference said after the NCAA’s decision that its conference tournament “will continue as scheduled.”

“We are evaluating plans for the remainder of the tournament. More to come,” the SEC said.

The Atlantic Coast Conference said its tournament games Wednesday night will “proceed as planned.”

“We are aware of the announcement by the NCAA and will evaluate the remainder of the tournament,” the ACC said. “More information will be forthcoming.”

The Atlantic 10 Conference will also proceed with its tournament as scheduled, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported. The Big East will move forward with its conference tournament, too, Indianapolis Star reporter David Woods said.

The Ivy League announced Tuesday it was canceling its conference tournament. And on Wednesday, the conference became the first to cancel its entire spring athletic calendar.

East Tennessee State University head coach Steve Forbes told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman the decision by the NCAA is “really sad for the players and everyone involved with this great tournament.”

“We must do what’s best for their health and safety,” Forbes added. “It’s a historical time that has warranted a historical decision.”

Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann told Goodman, “It’s clearly the correct move,” but he also shared his disappointment.

“To say the experience will be unique is an understatement,” Holtmann added.

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament will also be affected by the decision. First- and second-round games will be held on campus sites.

Fort Wayne, Indiana; Portland, Oregon; Greenville, South Carolina; and Dallas will host regional games and the Final Four will be played in New Orleans.

Last week, Johns Hopkins University held games of the NCAA Division III tournament without fans. It made the decision “based on CDC guidance for large gatherings,” it said.

This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 4:51 PM with the headline "March Madness games to be played without spectators, NCAA president announces."