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BREAKING: NCAAW Tournament cancelled

The NCAA Women’s Tournament has been ruled off the day after reports that it would be held without spectators. In addition, the NBA season has been suspended indefinitely and the WNBA hopes to avoid a similar halt. Here’s the latest on what we know as the coronavirus pandemic spreads through the U.S.

By Zachary Ward Updated
NCAA Basketball: Final Four-NCAA President Dr. Mark Emmert-Press Conference
NCAA president Mark Emmert as seen at the 2019 Men’s Final Four in Minneapolis, Minn.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

This story will be updated as information becomes available.

Due to the continued spread of the coronavirus throughout the U.S., the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments have been cancelled, the NCAA announced on Thursday.

The NCAA has released the following statement:

Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.

With coronavirus cases now confirmed at all NCAA Regional locations as well as in the Final Four host city of New Orleans, it is hard to argue with the reasoning.

Cases by location

  • Dallas, Tex. — 34 cases in the state of Texas, with some near Dallas
  • Greenville, S.C. — 10 cases in the state of South Carolina, with some near Greenville
  • Portland, Ore. — 300-plus cases in Northern Oregon and Washington state
  • Fort Wayne, Ind. — 13 cases in the state of Indiana, with some near Fort Wayne
  • New Orleans, La. — 14 cases in the entire state of Louisiana, with some near New Orleans

The NCAA news comes on the heels of the suspension of the NBA season, which was announced on Wednesday because Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz was diagnosed with the coronavirus.

The WNBA has yet to make a decision about its upcoming season, but with the 2020 draft coming up on April 17 and the season beginning on May 15, changes could be coming.

For now, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued the following statement Thursday morning:

The health and safety of players and employees – with our teams and at the league level – is of the utmost importance. With regard to COVID-19, we are in touch with the teams, consulting with infectious disease specialists and monitoring guidance from the CDC and WHO. The WNBA is currently not in season, but together with the WNBPA and teams, we have been in close communication and will continue to connect with and offer resources to players in the U.S. and those playing overseas. ... In addition, we continue to scenario plan around our upcoming events and season including the 2020 WNBA Draft scheduled for April 17, the start of training camp on April 26 and the tip of the WNBA season on May 15. Further details will be shared later this month.

This story was originally published on Thursday, March 12, at 2 p.m. ET.

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