For Pete’s Sake

Some college basketball fans blast decision to hold NCAA Tournament without fans

By Pete Grathoff

Updated March 11, 2020 9:57 PM

Even people who are not fans of college basketball might be inclined to watch a few minutes of the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament games this year.

If for no other reason than the oddity of seeing the contests played in nearly empty arenas.

NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement Wednesday that for safety reasons, only “essential staff and limited family attendance” will be allowed at the tournament games as the coronavirus spreads through the United States.

The NCAA tweeted the statement and many fans were not pleased with the decision.

Here is a sample of what people were saying:

This is nothing more than a move based on paranoia and panic. The NCAA is going to lose a ton of fans over this!
— Michael Shane Bell (@Mikeyb20162017) March 11, 2020

You better start refunding money and immediately.
— papajnick (@FromThe843) March 11, 2020

Certainly looking like #MarchMadness is working it’s way to being held without fans. Peak of American overreaction and it’s mainly caused by the media who sends people into panic.
— BeatinTheBookie.com️ (@BeatinTheBookie) March 11, 2020

The @marchmadness decision by the @NCAA is utterly ridiculous. The student athletes should take a stand---no fans no games. We're losing our flippin' minds. Most of the energy of #MarchMadness comes from THE FANS!!!!!
— Mark Reardon (@MarkReardonKMOX) March 11, 2020

Soft. We’re lucky we are in America, where we get the right to choose. We should be able to exercise that right, not let the NCAA dictate our decisions
— Andrew K (@AndrewK06823860) March 11, 2020

This years #1 overall seed is fear. This is absolutely ridiculous! #COVID19 #NCAATournament #MarchMadness https://t.co/sFu6NxWFbt
— Brad Arnold (@BradArnoldWX) March 11, 2020

#MarchMadness is the NCAA's biggest money maker. Not allowing fans in is going to shoot the economics of the tournament in the foot (obviously). But to me, this is an overreaction. If you don't want to get sick, don't go! Let fans in the games!
— William Galloway (@Wm_Galloway) March 11, 2020

Canceling basketball and baseball games-espicially NCAA TOURNEY GAMES-is a massive overreaction and it’s extremely pathetic that we’ve defaulted to this as a society ‍♂️
— Dylan (@D_Hamann17) March 11, 2020

This is a massive overreaction and it will kill the vibe of the whole tournament! The NCAA Tournament is not what is without the fans! https://t.co/fZQkwcWmoY
— Will (@TeamArod12) March 11, 2020

Ok I’m confused. So the players can play, mingle with each other and the officials then go BACK to campus, mingle with the students aka the FANS? in what world is that logical? Oh wait, in the land of TV and advertiser money. #foolish and dumb
— Rick Harrison (@swimcoachrick3) March 11, 2020

You lost a fan at home too. I won't be watching one game. LET'S ALL LIVE IN FEAR, IDIOTS
— Terry Thompson (@Thompson3Terry) March 11, 2020

Some applauded the NCAA’s decision:

Good decision for public health over profit.
— Aim (@2300at) March 11, 2020

The @NCAA should be commended for making the right call #NCAA #Basketball "NCAA tournament will be played without fans" https://t.co/mtQ29SLuxK
— Steven Leser (@stevenleser) March 11, 2020

Thank you for making the right decision.
— Kyle Gasser (@Gassman3268) March 11, 2020

The NCAA decision to keep fans from NCAA Tournament games is likely the smart, safe decision, but it’s a devastating blow to the crowd reaction meme industry.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 11, 2020

I predicted this. And I'm grateful. Sports shouldn't come before the health of the general population. Thank you, @NCAA @marchmadness. #flatteningthecurve https://t.co/fTe9Aq4OvU
— pithypants (@pithy_pants) March 11, 2020

This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 5:29 PM.

Pete Grathoff

The Kansas City Star

816-234-4330

From covering the World Series to the World Cup, Pete Grathoff has done a little bit of everything since joining The Kansas City Star in 1997.

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