We think of sports as the great equalizer. But from youth sports to the professional world, glaring inequities, often along racial lines, mirror our society.
Why it matters: The decision highlights "the realities of COVID-19 even as [the organizers] forged ahead with plans to hold the world’s largest sporting event," the New York Times writes.
Americans are divided by race and politics over the appropriateness of political activism in sports, especially when it comes to athletes taking a knee during the national anthem, according to a new Axios-Ipsos poll.
Yes, but: The poll also found that Americans have more mixed feelings on the use of Native American-themed mascots, which generate strong opposition among Black Americans while other groups are more open to it.
Seven women in total have filed lawsuits against Houston Texans' quarterback Deshaun Watson with sexual assault and harassment claims, after four new suits were filed this week, according to AP.
Why it matters: The latest filings followed the NFL's statement on Thursday that the league is investigating earlier lawsuits from three massage therapists who accused Watson of sexually assaulted them during sessions by exposing himself and kissing them against their will.
An NCAA spokesperson acknowledged the stark differences in amenities offered to male and female basketball players at March Madness, such as weight rooms and meals, attributing the disparity to "limited space."
Driving the news: Female players and fans took to social media to expose the stark contrast between the facilities provided to them and the elaborate facilities provided to their male counterparts.
Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium is 6 months away from its pre-season games, and preparations are underway to make its sporting events as safe as possible, Tom Glick, team president of the Carolina Panthers, told Axios Local at a virtual event on Friday.
Why it matters: Glick said that hosting sporting events during COVID-19 meant a "reinvention of the experience," and that continuing to evolve safety protocols will be key to getting fans to return to in-person events.
For the first time in history, the NFL said Thursday it agreed to license all of its Thursday Night Football games exclusively to a technology company, Amazon.
Why it matters: It's a major milestone for streaming. "To-date, no streaming platform has made a substantial sports rights acquisition," Rich Greenfield, partner at LightShed Ventures, wrote in an analyst note.
