Most American sports leagues have not played any games for over two months and as June approaches, there remains a significant amount of uncertainty surrounding the majority of professional leagues.
During this unprecedented slow period, it is evident that West Virginia sportsbooks have been greatly affected. The revenue generated from sports betting has reached its lowest point in quite a while.
While physical bookstores in the Mountain State’s casinos remain closed, online sports betting apps are operational. However, the limited number of markets to wager on poses a challenge.
Although a few European sports remain operational, the majority of the popular leagues are still on hold. Sportsbooks commonly feature Moscow table tennis and Korean baseball (KBO) as two of the most frequently offered odds.
Fortunately, the UFC’s recent comeback provided a glimmer of hope for sports in the US. Despite the initial cancellation, UFC 249 proved to be a triumph for both enthusiastic fans and sportsbooks.
The VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida hosted the fights without any spectators. UFC has scheduled another fight night at the same venue this week.
Although it is enjoyable to have any sport back, the WV sports betting crowd specifically desires the return of major sports. Thankfully, discussions regarding plans to reopen are underway.
The NBA and NHL are currently focused on finishing their seasons, while Major League Baseball is still in the process of kickstarting theirs. Additionally, other sports organizations such as ATP tennis, PGA Tour golf, and MLS are actively formulating strategies to resume their games.
It is encouraging to see that many states, including WV, are beginning to reopen various sectors. Among the recently approved businesses to resume operations are small businesses and wellness centers.
Now, let’s analyze the current status of all the major sports leagues and their plans for resuming play.
Return Of NBA And NHL
With only a few games left on their schedules, two prominent sports leagues of the country have come to a halt. The NBA and NHL, both winter sports, are diligently striving to discover the perfect formula to resume play and ultimately declare a champion for this year.
Regrettably, neither of the leagues have established a specific date for any kind of comeback.
NHL teams have completed approximately 70 games, whereas the NBA has reached around 65 games in its regular season. Initially scheduled for 82 games each, the likelihood of fulfilling the full season now appears highly unlikely.
In addition to devising a general return plan, both leagues must also establish the quantity of games they will play. There is a possibility that they may decrease the number of regular-season games or even skip them entirely.
Phase two of the NHL’s plan involves allowing players to partake in small group activities at team facilities; however, an official date for its commencement has not yet been determined.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman recently addressed the possibility of the season concluding without a Stanley Cup champion, stating that it is not a scenario he is currently considering, as reported by The Mercury News.
Regarding the NBA, league executives have expressed optimism about their ability to resume play on the basketball court.
On Tuesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver conducted a conference call that instilled confidence among owners, assuring them of an eventual resumption of the season.
Despite the absence of any concrete plans, the league is considering multiple options, including a potential “bubble-isolation plan” that would involve hosting games in only one or two locations.
Both Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada are potential destinations.
Players have commenced their workout routines, albeit to a limited extent. Voluntary workouts involving four players have commenced in ten teams’ facilities. The NBA anticipates that by the beginning of next week, a total of 22 practice arenas will be accessible.
In two-to-four weeks, it aims to finalize a solid decision regarding the remainder of the year.
International And American Soccer
The resumption of several renowned soccer leagues, eagerly awaited by fans and bettors alike, is drawing near. While Belarus, Nicaragua, and South Korea have already resumed their leagues, anticipation grows for the restart of more globally recognized competitions.
Although the MLS may not offer the same level of excitement as Europe’s premier divisions, it has garnered a significant following among many Americans.
As of now, the league has officially announced that games will commence no earlier than June 8. Players initiated their individual training sessions at team facilities on May 6.
In contrast to other leagues, the MLS recently commenced its season, with teams having completed just two games before the COVID-19 halt. Currently, no specific date has been set for its return.
While bettors eagerly await the return of domestic soccer, they can find solace in the fact that several European leagues have already set restart dates.
This Saturday, May 16, teams such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will be back in action as Germany’s Bundesliga becomes the first league to resume.
In addition, other leagues are also gearing up to resume their games. Spain’s La Liga has been slated to recommence on June 12th, while Italy’s Serie A is scheduled to restart on June 13th.
The inclusion of these additions will play a vital role in helping sportsbooks enhance their appeal and attract a larger betting audience.
The English Premier League, which has recently been absent from these announcements, has received approval from the UK government to resume play at any time after June 1.
As of now, without any preparations made, it seems highly unlikely that the given date will be achievable. The EPL schedule includes a total of 92 matches that are yet to be played.
NFL And Other Sports
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted numerous other leagues, prompting the NFL, MLB, ATP, and PGA Tour to devise strategies for resuming play.
The commencement of the baseball season, originally scheduled for late March, was postponed indefinitely without any games being played. Following the trend observed in numerous sports across the US, league officials are actively exploring various strategies to salvage the season.
In addition to addressing safety measures and division arrangements, MLB is confronted with other concerns. One of the prominent issues in the league’s most recent proposal pertains to a revenue split, which would potentially necessitate players accepting a reduction in their salaries.
The majority of players appear dissatisfied with the idea as they have already agreed to prorated salaries. It seems that negotiations might be time-consuming, potentially delaying the start of the league’s new spring training.
The proposal suggests a commencement of the 2020 season in early July, comprising a total of 82 games.
The ATP Tour is aiming to commence around the same timeframe, but it remains suspended until at least mid-July.
No matter when tennis eventually returns, fans should expect a season quite different from what they are accustomed to. The cancellation of Wimbledon has already been confirmed, and the French Open is currently scheduled to commence in September.
Given the impact of the crisis on New York City, it appears highly unlikely that the US Open will still take place in late August.
The PGA Tour in golf stands out as one of the rare sports that follows a fixed restart date, with the world’s top golfers scheduled to compete at the Charles Schwab Challenge beginning on June 11th.
Following the event, the RBC Heritage, Travelers Championship, and Rocket Mortgage Classic will take place.
Currently, the NFL regular season remains unaltered as the league unveiled its schedule last week. The season is set to commence on Thursday, September 10.
WV Sportsbook Odds
In the Mountain State, there are multiple online apps available to place sports bets, making it convenient even when your favorite sport is on a break. These apps are:
DraftKings presents the odds to win the league for the Bundesliga, which returns this Saturday.
- Bayern Munich -455
- Borussia Dortmund +550
- RB Leipzig +800
- Borussia Mönchengladbach +10000
- Bayer Leverkusen +15000
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