This article was originally published on March 20th, 2020.
Here is this week's dose of “5-Point Friday”. A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.
NFL news I am learning about -
NFL players have ratified a new CBA with the league's team owners that will see major changes to the sport, including an expanded playoff field and an extra game each season.
The changes will also see big raises for players earning the minimum annual wage in the NFL, while there will also be added benefits for former players and an increased share of the revenue for current players. There will also be changes to the drug policy including a reduction in penalties for players who test positive for THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Motorsports story I am enjoying -
After Formula 1's 2020 season-opening Australian Grand Prix was canceled, due to safety concerns related to coronavirus, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) and McLaren’s Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) took part in All-Star Esports Battle, organized by Torque Esports. Which Pitted real-life athletes against top gamers, the event was streamed live via digital video platforms Twitch and YouTube, recording impressive viewership. According to TwitchTracker, Norris saw his viewership on Twitch jump from an average of 2,000 to a personal best 70,000 viewers as he raced virtually at the Albert Park Circuit.
Soccer news I have been waiting for -
UEFA announced that Euro 2020 will be postponed by one year until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The postponement provides a chance for European leagues that have been suspended to now be completed. By moving the European Championship, UEFA now has a clash with the Women's European Championship, which is due to be held in England in 2021, beginning on 7 July. The Nations League and the European Under-21 Championships are also scheduled to take place next summer. UEFA said all three events will be "rescheduled accordingly", but it is currently unclear if that involves minor tweaks to dates or large-scale postponements.
What I have been watching -
McFarland, USA directed by Niki Caro. The film focuses on the true story of a high-school cross country coach, who leads a mostly Latino school in McFarland, California, to win a state championship.
Quote I am pondering -
"This is going to be the year of an asterisk. There's no getting around that."
- Mike Whan (@LPGACommish), LPGA Commissioner
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan