Interesting takeaways from this SportBusiness article. Hopeful this tournament can safely happen.

“There will also be enhanced visual effects, including increased aerial coverage via drones, goalpost cameras, and super slow-motion cameras behind the nets.”

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Black Pumas and Austin FC have teamed up to support Austin’s independent venues and record stores that have had to close their doors to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are pleased to offer this special-edition collaborative t-shirt, on sale now for a limited time. Proceeds from each purchase benefit the Black Pumas’ “Know You Better” initiative, which is devoted to preserving these Austin institutions through these difficult times until it is safe to open their doors once again.

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The English Premier League resumes today! The opening games are Aston Villa v Sheffield United at noon and Man City v Arsenal at 2:15, both on NBCSN. And empty stadiums aren’t the only difference from regular matches:

Players in the country’s top division, the Premier League, will have their names on their shirts replaced with the slogan Black Lives Matter for one round of games. London-based side Tottenham Hotspur just posted a picture of their squad taking the knee before

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MLS is Back Tournament

It’s official, and it’s called the “MLS is Back Tournament”. It will be held July 8 to August 11 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and here’s the structure:

  • All 26 MLS clubs participating; all matches in Orlando
  • Group stage followed by knockout rounds
  • Group stage counts toward regular season
  • Winner earns 2021 Concacaf Champions League spot
  • Pre-tournament draw to assign groups
  • Regular season continues after tournament

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Something to tide us over until that NWSL tournament: that little league in England may be back in a few weeks. Man City v Arsenal and (the big one) Aston Villa v Sheffield United “set to be played on a Wednesday night before a full round of action on 20 June.”

And there it is:

The NWSL will be the first American professional sports league to return when they begin competitive matches at the end of June.

With the 2020 USL Championship season delayed (at a minimum) and a venue that relies on the large crowds now prohibited due to the pandemic, Bobby Epstein’s staff reductions at COTA include Roberto Silva, general manager of Austin Bold FC (and before that, the Austin Aztex).

Bils in The Statesman