Blue Jackets home games to continue with fans despite Ohio governor's recommendation

ByABC News
March 10, 2020, 6:19 PM

The Columbus Blue Jackets will play their home games Thursday and Saturday in front of fans, they announced Tuesday, several hours after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recommended that sporting events at indoor facilities in the state take place without spectators.

"The Columbus Blue Jackets are aware of the recommendation by Governor DeWine," the team said in a statement. "We have been in contact with the National Hockey League and, given the facts before us, it has been determined that our scheduled games, including this Thursday vs. Pittsburgh and Saturday vs. Nashville, will go on as scheduled and be open to ticketed fans that wish to attend."

The status of other sporting events in the state is still fluid.

The MAC basketball tournament, set to begin Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, will continue as scheduled but will be closed to the general public, the conference announced Tuesday.

As part of the restricted attendance policy, only "credentialed institutional personnel, student-athlete family members, credentialed media, television and radio crews, and official team party members will be permitted for attendance for the tournaments."

"The safety of all is our greatest concern," MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement. "Since January, I have stated that any decision would follow the advice of state governmental officials and medical professionals. Following the feedback we received today we have taken this action which is in alignment with the recommendation of Governor DeWine."

In response to DeWine's recommendation, the NCAA issued a statement Tuesday that read, "The NCAA continues to assess how COVID-19 impacts the conduct of our tournaments and events. We are consulting with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel, who are leading experts in epidemiology and public health, and will make decisions in the coming days."

Dayton Arena is scheduled to host the NCAA First Four March 17-18, and Rocket Mortgage Arena in Cleveland is set to host first- and second-round men's and women's NCAA games.

Ohio State is scheduled to host Michigan at Nationwide Arena in the Big Ten men's hockey semifinals on Sunday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers just began a long road trip and do not have a home game until March 24.