The current pandemic has left us bereft of sports, with Korean Baseball and Belarusian Soccer the only fix for our addictions. Sure UFC 249 put on a hell of a night, but for a country used to having too much sport and not enough time to consume it all the recent stoppages have left us with itchy fingers. So much so nearly 175,000 viewers turned in for opening night of The KBO on ESPN.
This is substantial given the fact the game start time was set at 1 am ET and was further delayed by rain. People stuck around. Sure, not in the numbers for an MLB game but still a sign people are missing sports. Therefore spare a thought for those who due to the stoppage won’t get to see their team in action ever again.
On Monday the American Hockey League (AHL) announced the cancelation of the 2019-2020 season with CEO David Andrews sending out a statement that read:
“After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions. The League’s operational focus has turned toward actively preparing for the 2020-21 season. We are very grateful to the National Hockey League and its teams for their support and leadership in navigating through the challenges faced over the past two months. The AHL continues to place paramount importance on the health and safety of our players, officials, staff, and fans and all of their families, and we all look forward to returning to our arenas in 2020-21.”
For all teams that means no more games before October, for some it means no playoffs and for one it means a missed chance to say goodbye.
With the announcement came the end of the San Antonio Rampage’s time in Texas as they will move to Vegas for the beginning of next season after being sold by Spurs Sports & Entertainment in February. Bought by the Vegas Golden Knights the team will be located in Henderson, Nevada, and play their home games at the Orleans Arena but have yet to receive a definitive name.
The Rampage paid tribute to their fans today with videos from former player and current Nashville Predator, Rocco Grimaldi:
“You guys have always been so good to me and so good to my family, and for that, we wanna say thank you very much.” – @RGrimaldi23 pic.twitter.com/nCV0OCjlL5
— San Antonio Rampage (@sarampage) May 11, 2020
They also posted a heartfelt tribute from play by play broadcaster Dan Weiss:
“It was an honor to be your eyes and your voice when you guys couldn’t be at the rink. But more importantly, it was a privilege to get to know each and every one of you and to call you a friend.” – @DanWeissPBP pic.twitter.com/9p2vtBTiFD
— San Antonio Rampage (@sarampage) May 11, 2020
And lastly they had current player Ville Husso say a few words
“It’s been a really amazing 3 years in front of you guys.” – @HussoVille pic.twitter.com/kc8xA1N6SO
— San Antonio Rampage (@sarampage) May 11, 2020
So the next time you sit down at the TV during this pandemic bored because of the lack of sports just spare a thought for those that not only don’t have sports now but don’t have a team going forward.
The Rampage had been around since 2002 and have been the AHL affiliate for NHL teams the Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes (Later renamed the Arizona Coyotes), St Louis Blues, and Colorado Avalanche.
