Resuming play risky

"Skeptimiticissm."

Its a made-up term for the perception many people surely have of the potential return of professional sports. Or, more fittingly, how long they will last before shutting it all down for a second time due to COVID-19.

Rarely do medical degrees hang above the desks of sports journalists. Nor are crystal balls on the corner of scribes desks, any more than paperweights.

But it is a feeling of doubt that has crept over not the resumption of sports at pro levels, but the longevity before something goes badly.

Athletes are testing positive because, after all, they are human beings, too. And some are indicating that returning to work is not in their playbook at all and opting out.

For now, in the case of the National Hockey League, Edmonton and Toronto are hub centres for the West and East Conferences, respectively. Florida, of all places, is hosting the National Basketball Association. Major League Baseball? What a mess.

Confusing times? You know it.

As noted here a few weeks back, it is difficult to imagine athletes, whose bodies are their livelihood and paycheques, risking their careers for what could be interrupted restarts to seasons. Will champions even be determined for 2020?

Given the recklessness displayed daily in the United States, would it be any surprise if COVID-19 once again brings the sports world to its knees?

Branding for money

Since we're on the topic of branding, certain things really stand out when watching those vintage hockey games on Sportsnet.

You realize how the game has evolved over the decades, particularly in the goaltending and style of play, but also in the handful of penalties ignored each and every shift.

And its hard to remember there was once a two-line offside pass rule or touch icing.

Remarkably, even well into the 1980s, it is noticeable how few fans attended games decked out in team apparel.

Somebody, at some point, hit on a ka-ching idea that T-shirts, jerseys and caps would be popular sells. That realization turned on a tap that has since earned teams gazillions of revenue dollars.

John Cudmore is a longtime, award-winning reporter. His Cuddy Shark column appears regularly.

Link:
Opinion | CUDDY SHARK: Hockey Renegades jump in early on name-game revolution - yorkregion.com