Five Years Ago, The Sports World Shut Down For Nothing

Somehow, it's now been five years since the sports world shut down over concerns due to COVID-19. A massive unforced error that led to unnecessary panic, years of disruption, and sports media falling over themselves to demand more restrictions.

As OutKick founder Clay Travis pointed out, the collective college basketball world shut down its tournaments five years ago, in March 2020, with collegiate sports not returning for five full months. And perhaps even more embarrassing, those whose job it is to cover collegiate sports fought tooth and nail to stop it. All because their political beliefs meant they unquestioningly accepted the absurdities and fear-mongering coming from Anthony Fauci and the CDC. 

The NBA, Major League Baseball, college basketball…all of them shut down, then returned with ridiculous mask policies or vaccine mandates. Each of those policies did nothing to stop the spread of COVID between players, coaches and staff. Though they did make sports media happier, since there's nothing they love more than a useless political gesture.

PHOENIX - Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) puts on a face mask on the bench alongside forward Anthony Davis (3) against the Phoenix Suns during a preseason game at Phoenix Suns Arena on Dec. 18, 2020. Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Ivy League, naturally, was the first to shut down, canceling its conference tournament on March 10. Initially, the reaction from within the college basketball world was one of indignation, frustration, and criticism. 

Per an ESPN story at the time, several coaches responded with derision: "The Ivy League canceled their tournament? Lol. That's so Ivy League," one texted ESPN after the decision came down.

"Lol. What a joke,"