(Cooperstown, NY)  --  The 2020 National Baseball Hall of Fame Class will have to wait until next summer to be inducted.  The Hall of Fame announced it is postponing July's ceremony until 2021.  Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller will all be enshrined then, along with any new inductees.

(Seattle, WA)  --  The Mariners are outlining their ticket-refund process for games not played due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  The club sent an email to season-ticket holders saying they will automatically get a credit to their account for missed games through May 31st.  The M's are also offering ticket incentives.

(Seattle, WA)  --  The renovation of Key Arena is still on target despite the coronavirus pandemic.  Construction on the nearly one-billion-dollar project has continued, while work on the team's practice facility at Northgate Mall has not.  Seattle's expansion NHL franchise is still slated to begin play in 2021-22.

(New York, NY)  --  NFL commissioner Roger Goodell isn't getting paid during the coronavirus pandemic.  ESPN reports he voluntarily requested to the compensation committee weeks ago that his salary be reduced to zero.  Meanwhile, the NFL plans to start executive paycuts and some workforce furloughs.

(St. Petersburg, FL)  --  Some full-time employees of the Rays will be out of work come this weekend.  The Tampa Bay Times reports the club plans to furlough less than half of its 400-to-500 full-time workers starting Saturday.  The Miami Marlins will also be reportedly be implementing this cost-cutting measure.

(Undated)  --  Lakers star LeBron James is recognizing high school graduation classes across the country.  His Family Foundation will collaborate on "Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020."  It will include sports and music stars and air May 16th on multiple networks and social media.

(Undated)  --  USA Today reports MLB is examining a plan to start the season in late June with games played in each team's home stadium sans fans.  This plan allows for at least 100 regular season games, an expanded playoff format and a realignment to three 10-team divisions based on geography to minimize travel.  Clubs would only play opponents inside their division.  Optimism to start the season is COVID-19 testing becoming more available and a number of states beginning to reopen. The Mariners would be in the West Division.  MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said there are a variety of contingency ideas being considered.

(Wenatchee, WA)  --  Edean Ihlanfeldt, an acclaimed amateur golfer and the founder of the women's golf program at the University of Washington, is dead.  She was 90.  She played against Babe Didrickson Zaharias and Patty Berg before coming to U-Dub and founding the women's program in 1974.  "I cannot begin to describe how larger than life Edean was," said Huskies women's golf coach Mary Lou Mulflur, who played for Ihlanfeldt before beginning her 37-year tenure at UW, in a statement from the school. She won six-straight state amateur titles in Montana, four Washington amateur titles and five Pacific Northwest Golf Association titles, among her many championships.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seahawks have claimed cornerback Jayson Stanley off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The 6-foot-2, second-year player was a wide receiver at Georgia, but was converted to a defensive back by the Falcons.  He bounced around on practice squads with the Dolphins and Jaguars last year before being re-signed last January by Jacksonville before eventually being waived. 

(Ann Arbor, MI)  --  The fate of the Olympics is once again hanging in a balance.  NBC Sports Olympic host Mike Tirico says Olympians aren't going to stop their training schedules.  Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori announced the Olympics could be canceled if the coronavirus pandemic continues into next year.  Mori said the world is fighting an "invisible enemy."  He reiterated that organizers are still working towards holding the Games next year but leading Japanese doctor Yoshitake Yokokura said that it would be "difficult to hold the Olympics" without an effective vaccine.  The Games are rescheduled to start in July 2021. 

(New York, NY)  --  The NBA is now delaying its plan to reopen team facilities by one week.  The league was originally going to allow players to return for voluntary workouts this Friday, but that has now been pushed back to May 8th.  Some states are beginning to loosen their stay-at-home restrictions.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State's Ethan Thompson is going to forego his senior season and declare for the NBA Draft.  Sources have confirmed that news to The Oregonian.  The 6-foot-5 guard has one year of eligibility remaining and has not hire an agent.  He started 31 games last season for the Beavers, averaging 14-point-8 points per game. 

(Olympia, WA)  --  Golf can resume in Washington beginning May 5th.  The announcement came from Governor Jay Inslee on Monday.  The announcement comes as part of the partial resumption of outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, and the use of state parks and state lands for day trips.  Social distancing will still have to be observed, as well as spacing out of tee times, limits on the number of people playing golf together, and allowing take-away food and beverage services only. 

(Colorado Springs, CO)  --  Swimmers preparing for next year's Olympics will be dipping their toes in the water again this summer.  USA Swimming revealed it has canceled all national meets but will start regional competitions in August.  These will be smaller and limit travel.  It will lead up to national events resuming in November.  The Tokyo Olympics were postponed a year due to the coronavirus crisis.

(Arlington, TX)  --  The Rangers' new ballpark could serve as a regional hub once the Major League Baseball season starts.  Texas GM Jon Daniels said on a conference call it's among several ideas being discussed, but it makes a lot of sense.  Arizona and Florida could also be used as regional hubs.

Tom Telesco is hoping Justin Herbert can be just as good as the last quarterback the Chargers drafted out of
Oregon.

Los Angeles selected Herbert with the No. 6 pick of the NFL draft Thursday night. He is the first Ducks QB taken by the Chargers since they took Dan Fouts in the third round in 1973. Fouts led the franchise to four playoff trips and three division titles in a 15-year Hall of Fame career.

''This is a special opportunity. Words can't describe how excited and thrilled and fired up I am for this,'' Herbert said.

The Chargers were in the market to take a quarterback in the first round for the fourth time since 1967 after they announced in early February that they would not re-sign Philip Rivers, who started 235 consecutive regular-season and playoff games over the past 14 seasons.

Herbert started 42 games at Oregon, compiling a 29-13 record with 10,541 passing yards and 108 total touchdowns. He led the Ducks to the Pac-12 championship last season and a win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, where he ran for three touchdowns and was named the offensive MVP. He thew for 32 touchdowns and only six interceptions
in 14 games.

Herbert has shown the ability to excel in play action, but questions remain about his decision-making and accuracy. He boosted his stock at the Senior Bowl, completing 9 of 12 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Herbert said he has been trying to refine his mechanics leading up to the draft.

Telesco has had his eye on Herbert for a while. He was at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Nov. 2 when Herbert went 21 of 26 for 225 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-24 win over Southern California. ''He brings us a lot with his combination of physical skills and style of play is intriguing to us,'' Telesco said. ''He is a big, fast dual-threat quarterback with room to grow.''

There won't be any pressure for Herbert to come in and start immediately. Tyrod Taylor is likely to be the Chargers starter going into their first season at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, giving Herbert time to learn and develop.

Fouts said in a telephone interview that the Chargers made the right choice with Herbert. ''He's smart, big and has a strong arm. He's fearless. He's got all the tools you can imagine,'' he said. ''The way I look at it he's still young and the sky's the limit. He's going to a team with a lot of talent at receiver (Keenan Allen and Mike Williams) along
with a good tight end and running game.''

Herbert was the third quarterback taken in the first six selections Thursday. Cincinnati selected LSU's Joe Burrow with the first overall pick and Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa went fifth to Miami.

(Renton, WA)  --  The NFL Draft resumes today virtually.  Rounds two and three will take place.  Seattle has two picks in the second round and one in the third.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seahawks are shoring up their linebacker corps.  Seattle drafted Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks in the first round.  Brooks led Texas Tech in tackles this past season and received accolades all four seasons in college.

(Undated)  --  The MLB and Minor League Baseball put out a joint statement yesterday regarding possible team contraction.  The statement said that discussions are ongoing from both sides and an agreement will be reached in the future.  The MLB reportedly wants Minor League Baseball to reduce their number of teams by 40.

(Undated)  --  There may have been a live draft this year but that didn't stop Roger Goodell from receiving boos.  Goodell had fans from each team virtually booing him as he made each selection.  The tradition of booing Goodell live has long been a standing one during the NFL Draft.

(Undated)  --  Two golf legends and two quarterback icons are participating in a charity golf match to aid coronavirus relief.  Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning will be teaming up to take on Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in a golf match planned for May.  The event will air possibly on Memorial Day on TNT at an undisclosed location without spectators.

(Renton, WA)  --  The 2020 NFL Draft is today.  It will be a fully virtual draft amid the ongoing coronavirus.  The Seahawks will have the 27th pick in the first round. 

(New York, NY)  --  The NHL is abandoning the idea of neutral site games at smaller venues.  ESPN reports the league is now focused on regional NHL arenas to host games assigned by division.  The NHL had considered arenas in smaller cities less affected by COVID-19 than the league's major markets.

(Undated)  --  If the NBA is going to resume it's season, the players are going need time to get ready, according to one All-Star.  Thunder guard Chris Paul said during a conference call that players will need three to four weeks to get ready to play again.  Paul is in his seventh season as the NBPA president. 

(Renton, WA)  --  The NFL Draft will take place tomorrow.  The draft will be a full virtual process amid the ongoing coronavirus.  The Cincinnati Bengals will kick things off with the first overall pick.  The Seahawks have the 27th overall pick.

(Tampa, FL)  --  The Brady-to-Gronkowski connection is back.  Rob Gronkowski is coming back to the NFL and to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Tampa Bay and the New England Patriots agreed to a deal that would send the tight end who is coming out of retirement to play with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seahawks are still making moves ahead of the NFL Draft.  Seattle has claimed defensive back Linden Stephens off waivers from the Dolphins, according to reports.  Stephens had three tackles last season.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seahawks aren't saying no to a potential Jadeveon Clowney return yet.  General manager John Schneider says the team isn't ruling out a potential return from Clowney, but did note they had to make moves in case things don't come together.  The Seahawks acquired Clowney from the Texans before the 2019 season.

(Undated)  -- The former commissioner of the XFL is suing its former owner in federal court.  Oliver Luck has sued WWE and XFL magnate Vince McMahon, citing wrongful termination after McMahon's decision to shutter the league after suspending playing because of the coronavirus.  According to court documents, Luck received a letter of termination on April 9th, one day before most of the league's staff was fired and three days before the XFL filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Luck "wholly disputes and rejects the allegations set forth in the Termination Letter and contends they are pretextual and devoid of merit," per the complaint.

(East Hartford, CT)  --  One college president isn't optimistic about the return of college athletics in the fall.  UConn president Thomas Katsouleas clarified in a statement that he was speculating about his belief fall sports may not happen when speaking to a journalism class.  He did admit that the conference and NCAA will however take the lead on all matters.

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  Two baseball fans are filing a class-action lawsuit against Major League Baseball because it hasn't refunded their money for the tickets bought to 2020 games.  The suit was filed Monday in Los Angeles.  They claim the league's owners are retaining enormous profits from tickets sold at the same time many of those fans face financial hardship.  MLB has officially postponed all games, hoping they can be rescheduled for later.

(Undated)  --  There may be a UFC fight in May after all.  According to MMA Fighting, UFC 249 now has been given the clear to take place on May 9th.  The event is reportedly expected to take place somewhere in Florida.  Fighters will reportedly fly to Jacksonville before heading to an unspecified location.

(Undated)  --  The NHL may reportedly move forward with a draft even before the current season potentially resumes.  According to TSN, the league may hold the draft during its typical slot in late June regardless of if the season comes back after or not.  It's not clear how the league would order the draft if they were to move forward with the idea.

(Renton, WA)  --  The 2020 NFL Draft is drawing near.  The league will conduct its virtual draft on Thursday.  The Seahawks are currently slated to pick 27th overall in the first round.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seahawks continue to make moves ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft.  Seattle is bringing back offensive lineman Kahlil McKenzie, who spent last season on the practice squad.  Joey Hunt and Ryan Neal also signed their tenders to return to Seattle.

(Miami, FL)  --  Marlins CEO Derek Jeter will not be taking a salary amid the ongoing coronavirus.  Jeter is forgoing five-million dollars he was reportedly slated to receive for the upcoming season.  Senior staff members across the league have taken pay cuts as the MLB aims to continue to pay its full and part-time employees.

(Undated)  --  The MLB is reportedly considering a new multi-state plan.  According to CBS Sports, the league is considering a plan that would see teams play in Arizona, Texas and Florida.  The teams would use major and minor league facilities to play games.
 

(Undated)  --  A mock run of the 2020 NFL Draft had some issues to start.  Representatives across the league went through a two-round test run on Monday.  There was a brief hiccup and delay before the Bengals could make their selection in the mock draft.  After that, everything was smooth sailing according to Broncos exec John Elway.

(Las Vegas, NV)  --  The World Series of Poker is being postponed.  The annual event in Las Vegas is being moved to a later date due to COVID-19.  The tournament was originally set to begin on May 26th with the main event set for July 1st.  Officials said the schedule will be revisited with some online competitions during the interim.

(Undated)  --  The UFC is canceling four more events.  Events including UFC 250 are being put on the shelf amid the ongoing coronavirus.  Dana White has recently stated he hopes to hold UFC 249 on May 9th in hopes of keeping fights going.

(Undated) -- New York has it's Lady Liberty. The New York Liberty made Sabrina Ionescu the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft on Friday night. Ionescu got shout outs and congratulations from big names on social media, including Kevin Durant, Nancy Lieberman and the Golden State Warriors. And as big of a night as it was for the Liberty, it was just as big for the Oregon Ducks. Ionescu went number one overall, Satou Sabally went second to the Dallas Wings, and Ruthy Hebard went eighth to the Chicago Sky.

(Renton, WA)  --  The NFL Draft will get underway Thursday.  The virtual draft will feature executives across the league isolated in their homes and the league's top prospects hearing their names called virtually.  The Seahawks hold the 27th pick in the first round.

(Renton, WA)  --  A pair of Seahawks have signed their tenders to return to the franchise.  Tight end Jacob Hollister and wide receiver David Moore have inked deals to suit up for another season.  Hollister was third in receptions for Seattle last season.

(Ridgeway, VA)  --  NASCAR is postponing its race at Martinsville Speedway that was scheduled from May 8-9.  This is the eighth Cup event to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.  NASCAR said in a statement that it intends to carry out all 36 events at some point, potentially returning without fans sometime next month.

(Undated)  --  One former top pick is giving advice to the presumed 2020 top pick.  Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning gave advice to soon-to-be drafted quarterback Joe Burrow.  Manning told the presumptive pick of the Cincinnati Bengals to learn from the tough moments in a rookie season and that they can help him moving forward.  Burrow gave Manning a call to ask for advice and the NFL legend was more than happy to oblige. 

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  The first NFL player has tested positive for the coronavirus.  According to FOX Sports, Rams center Brian Allen tested positive three weeks ago and again last week for COVID-19.  Allen is the first NFL player to be reported to have tested positive.

(Renton, WA)  --  The NFL Draft is a week from today.  The Seahawks will have big decisions ahead of them as they look to make their first pick.  Seattle has the 27th overall pick in the first round.

(Undated)  --  Vice President Mike Pence held a conference call with the College Football Playoff Management Committee.  Commissioners told the vice president on the call that there would likely not be any college football until students are back on campus.  The committee includes commissioners from power five and group of five conferences along with Notre Dame's athletic director.

(Undated)  --  Despite no baseball being played, stars from around MLB made sure to pay tribute on Jackie Robinson Day.  Current and former players around the league gave thanks on social media to the late Robinson and the way he paved a path for minorities to play the game.  Former MLB player Curtis Granderson announced he would be donating 42-thousand meals in honor of Robinson to COVID-19 food banks.

(Undated)  --  The NTSB has determined that the late Hall of Famer and former Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay had amphetamines and was doing acrobatic stunts when he crashed his plane in the Gulf of Mexico in 2017.  Halladay reportedly had amphetamine levels that were 10 times therapeutic levels along with morphine and antidepressants.  Halladay was inducted into the Hall of Fame this past year.

(Bristol, CT)  --  The WWE is trimming some of its workforce during the coronavirus pandemic.  The longtime pro wrestling outfit says a portion of its employee base is being temporarily furloughed and execs are taking pay cuts.  Among those released altogether was former world champion Kurt Angle.

(Undated)  --  The NBA's virtual HORSE Challenge resumes tonight.  ESPN will televise the semifinals and finals at 9 p.m. Eastern.  The semis pit Chauncey Billups against Mike Conley and Zach LaVine against Allie Quigley.  All the participants are streaming shots from their home courts.

(Undated)  --  Dr. Fauci says there's a chance sports can come back as long as measures are put in place.  The top infectious diseases doctor in the United States told Snapchat that sports can come back as long as no one is in attendance and players are put in hotels with constant surveillance and testing.  The doctor says it would allow for leagues to play out their seasons.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seahawks are shoring up their offensive line.  According to ESPN, the Seahawks have reached agreement with guard Mike Iupati on a one-year deal.  The guard started 15 games for Seattle last season.

(Portland, OR)  --  Tonight would have been the NBA regular season finale match-up against the Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers in Portland.  Instead, the NBA season is on hold with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Portland has not played since March 10th, beating Phoenix.  The Blazers have a 29-and-37 record.

(Undated)  --  It's Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball.  Today marks the 73rd anniversary of his breaking baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.  Players and coaches throughout the league usually wear his retired number-42 on this day, but this year's Jackie Robinson tributes will be done online.

(Undated)  --  Major League Baseball players and team employees will be getting tested for coronavirus antibodies.  Up to 10-thousand will be tested as part of a comprehensive study that will help researchers determine how widespread the virus is in metropolitan areas across the country.  Test kits will have results in 10 minutes.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seahawks are reportedly having a change of plans with a wide receiver.  According to ESPN, Seattle is withdrawing its exclusive rights tender from wide receiver Malik Turner.  The receiver will become a free agent.  Turner caught 15 passes for 245 yards in 2019.

(Clearwater, FL)  --  New York Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner, the son of legendary late owner George, is dead after a battle with an illness.  Reports indicate the outspoken Hank passed away at the age of 63 in Clearwater, Florida.  Sources indicate his illness was not COVID-19 related.  In recent years, Hank Steinbrenner had reduced his public presence and allowed brother Hal to represent team ownership.

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump is pushing for the return of professional sports in America.  Trump told reporters at the White House "we want to get our sports back."  He noted this will be a separate call, but some leagues will be brought back together and others by themselves.  Trump explained he's tired of watching games that took place more than a decade ago.  Sports around the world began shutting down last month because of the coronavirus.

(Phoenix, AZ)  --  Arizona could be ready to play ball after the lock down is lifted.  Governor Doug Ducey revealed he's open to the idea of hosting all 30 Major League Baseball teams.  That's one idea being explored as the season remains delayed due to the coronavirus crisis.  The teams would gather in the Phoenix area to avoid traveling around the country.  They'd play in empty spring training parks.
 

(Charlotte, NC)  --  Kyle Larson is out of a job.  Chip Ganassi Racing announced it has let Larson go after the driver used a racial slur during an e-sports race.  Larson has since apologized.  The news comes a day after McDonald's and Credit One announced they were terminating their sponsorship.

(Undated)  --  Dana White is working on a UFC card for May 9th.  White tells ESPN he's in the process of building the card.  The news comes after UFC 249 was postponed as White was reportedly ordered by Disney and ESPN executive to stand down due to the ongoing coronavirus.  The card could hold multiple title fights.

(New York, NY)  --  It could be a while before the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders return to the turf.  Major League Soccer is "extremely unlikely" to return to action in mid-May.  A statement from the league added it could be tough to play the entire season like they were hoping.  This is despite the league saying there are enough dates to make that happen.  The statement also says more details are expected to come over the next few weeks.

(South Orange, NJ) -- A new poll out of Seton Hall shows that a majority of Americans believe that medical experts, rather than President Trump, should decide when the NFL begins its season. The president held a conference call with the commissioners of major sports a week ago and encouraged the NFL to start on time, a move that just 36 percent of respondents found appropriate. Seven percent of people said the president should decide when the NFL starts while another 11 percent said it should be up to state governors. Twenty percent said it should be left up to the league. In a separate question, 55 percent of those surveyed said the federal government's response to the coronavirus outbreak has not been strong enough, while 38 percent say it has been appropriate.

(Undated) -- Former NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is dead following a car crash over the weekend. According to NFL-dot-com, the 36-year-old former NFL player died Sunday night in a single car crash in Alabama. Jackson was an NFL second-round draft pick out of Alabama State by the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. However, his most prolific season was with the Seattle Seahawks in 2011 where he was a 14-game starter, throwing for three-thousand-91 yards and 14 touchdowns. Jackson then spent one year with the Buffalo Bills, but later returned to Seattle as a backup quarterback, where he earned a Super Bowl ring in 2014. Jackson transitioned into coaching in 2018, joining Alabama State as a quality control coach and later becoming Tennessee State University's quarterback coach.

(Undated) -- NASCAR's Kyle Larson won't be behind the wheel of the No. 42 car for Chip Ganassi Racing anytime soon, or with any sponsors. NASCAR has suspended Larson indefinitely after the driver used a racial slur during an e-race on Sunday. The driver made the slur when he thought no one else could hear him. His primary sponsors McDonald's and Credit One terminated their sponsorship with Larson following the slur. Larson posted a video apologizing for his actions and stated that he takes accountability.

(Undated) -- It's realistic not to expect any concerts until 2021. That's what Doctor Ezekiel Emanuel thinks, anyway. Doctor Emanuel, a special advisor with the World Health Organization, was speaking with a panel of experts and the New York Times recently, said he doesn't think it will be safe to have concerts, sporting events or other big public gatherings for at least another 18 months. He explained that the economy has to be restarted in stages, and that social distancing has to be maintained for a period of time.

(Undated) -- The XFL has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will not return for a 2021 season, according to paperwork filed Monday. The league saw mixed results since launching after the Super Bowl in February with many teams hosting crowds as high as 20-thousand people. However, those numbers faded as the season went along. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the league opted on March 12th not to finish its season. CEO Vince McMahon had previously launched the XFL in 2001, but it folded after one full season.

(Renton, WA)  --  Despite the ongoing coronavirus, the NFL Draft will still take place a week from Thursday.  The draft will be fully virtual.  Team executives are required to isolate as they go through the draft process.  The Seahawks will have the 27th overall pick in the first round.

(Undated)  --  The WNBA Draft will take place on Friday.  All teams will take place in a virtual draft process.  Oregon sensation Sabrina Ionescu is expected to be the top overall pick.

(Undated)  --  The first round of the NBA and WNBA H.O.R.S.E. competition is in the books.  Chauncey Billups, Mike Conley, Zach LaVine and Allie Quigley are all moving on.  The semifinals and finals will take place on Thursday.  State Farm intends to donate more than 200-thousand dollars to coronavirus relief on behalf of the participants.

(Undated)  --  NASCAR driver Kyle Larson appeared to use a racial slur in an e-sports race.  The driver appeared to have said the slur while he thought no one could hear him.  Other racers soon informed they could hear him and appeared appalled at what he said.  Larson drives the No. 42 for Chip Ganassi Racing.

(Undated)  --  NBA players will be paid for the next pay cycle.  According to The Athletic, players will receive their next check on April 15th.  The league remains suspended amid the ongoing coronavirus and continues to examine its options for a potential return later this summer.

(Undated)  --  We know who, where and when for the NBA's upcoming H.O.R.S.E. competition.  The league announced that Trae Young, Chris Paul and Zach LaVine along with various NBA and WNBA alumni will be taking place in tournaments from their own homes.  The first round will take place on Sunday.  The semifinals and championship will take place on April 16th.

(Seattle, WA)  --  The Mariners are seeing an increase in their franchise valuation.  Forbes released its annual franchise valuations and the Mariners increased by two percent to 1.6 billion.  Seattle's valuation was 16th in baseball.

(South Orange, NJ)  --  Pro sports leagues may have a hard time luring fans back until there is a coronavirus vaccine.  According to a Seton Hall School of Business poll, 72-percent said they would not feel safe.  Twelve-percent said they would attend, but only with social distancing.

(Seattle, WA)  --  The Mariners are letting go of right-handed pitcher Cody Anderson.  The pitcher joined the club back in February.  He allowed four runs in three innings of Cactus league action before the MLB suspended play amid the ongoing coronavirus.

(Undated)  --  The NFL's chief medical officer says prerequisites must be set in order to start the season on time.  Dr. Allen Sills tells NFL.com that widespread coronavirus testing would have to be in place by then.  League counsel Jeff Pash previously said they expect to start on time.

(Undated)  --  Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is proposing a home run derby to settle extra inning games once the season begins.  He tells Spectrum SportsNet, after a normal 10th inning, three hitters from each team would get five outs each to see who hits the most home runs.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seahawks are letting go of a pair of players.  The team announced that it has parted ways with safety Tedric Thompson along with tight end Ed Dickson.  The move will clear up five-million dollars for Seattle, which is still hoping to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney.

(Undated)  --  The NHL is extending its self quarantine period.  The league has extended its quarantine period for its staff and players to April 15th.  The quarantine period had been twice extended already.

(New York, NY)  --  The NBA and its players are reportedly discussing withholding the remaining pay owed.  According to ESPN, the NBA and the Players Association are discussing a scenario where 25 percent would be withheld in a league escrow if the rest of the season was canceled.  The league has been suspended amid the ongoing coronavirus and still hopes to return to action to finish out the season.

(New York, NY)  --  Expanded playoffs are coming to the NFL.  The NFL and its owners confirmed a vote to expand one playoff team per conference for a total of two additional playoff teams. 14 teams in total will now make the playoffs with seven being added from each conference.  There will now be three games per conference during Wild Card weekend.  Only the top overall seed will have byes and the number two seed will host the lowest seed.

(Undated)  --  Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will serve as one-half of the grand marshals for the NASCAR e-racing event Sunday at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway.  He will be hosting with WWE superstar Mojo Rawley.  "Gronk" will also be the host of the WWE's two-night WrestleMania event this weekend in Orlando.