Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, many college athletes were left wondering if they would have a senior season or if they would forget about by the NCAA. Those questions have finally been put to rest as the NCAA has approved an additional season of eligibility for spring-sport athletes.
Spring sports include baseball, softball, track and field, lacrosse, tennis, golf, rowing, men and women’s volleyball, and women’s water polo. Other sports such as NCAA Basketball will not be extended since most of the season was completed.
Under the extended eligibility guidelines, schools will be able to submit waivers to restore the extension of eligibility for those athletes whose senior season was impacted by the coronavirus. Typically student-athletes have four years of eligibility that must be completed within a five-year window.
Ever since the NCAA announced that they were canceling the March Madness tournament, concerns over income have arisen. The idea of expanding eligibility initially went away due to the cost schools would have to accrue to provide additional scholarships for student-athletes. The NCAA addressed those concerns and announced that they would absorb some of the additional costs.
The cancelation of the iconic March Madness tournament marked the first time the competition hasn’t been played since its inception in 1939. Not only did the cancellation mess up college athletics, but it also affected betting markets around the world.
March Madness is one of the most bet on tournaments in the world and a driving force behind many 18+ bettors looking to win some extra tuition money. However, the cancellation was necessary, giving the current state of the pandemic.
The NBA was the first league to postpone its season over concerns of the coronavirus and large gatherings. Soon after the NCAA followed suit by canceling the March Madness tournament and all other basketball championships, then the MLB, MLS, NHL, and other leagues around the world announced their postponements.
While betting on the NCAAB will be postponed until 2021, 18+ sports bettors do have some options still available, including virtual sports, e-sports, and political betting. We expect some US sports leagues to resume during or shortly after summer 2020.
