Sports are no longer on pause because of COVID-19, but in recent days we’ve seen sports pause as athletes have used their power to protest systemic racism and police violence against Black people.  In what we hope is the final episode of the podcast, Donnovan and Richard discuss why it’s important for them to shift their voices from the virus to social violence as well. But stay subscribed, because if the worst happens and the coronavirus returns in force, Donnovan and Richard...

Sports are no longer on pause because of COVID-19, but in recent days we’ve seen sports pause as athletes have used their power to protest systemic racism and police violence against Black people.  In what we hope is the final episode of the podcast, Donnovan and Richard discuss why it’s important for them to shift their voices from the virus to social violence as well. But stay subscribed, because if the worst happens and the coronavirus returns in force, Donnovan and Richard...

COVID-19 has changed the way everyone thinks about the physical spaces we work in, live in and visit. And that goes for sports venues as well. What does the future hold for those in terms of construction and safety? Richard and Donnovan are joined by two guests to discuss.  Ryan Sickman is the Global Director of Sports at Gensler, an architecture, design and consulting firm. He talks about the willingness of fans to change their behaviour at events, what franchises will focus on when...

COVID-19 has changed the way everyone thinks about the physical spaces we work in, live in and visit. And that goes for sports venues as well. What does the future hold for those in terms of construction and safety? Richard and Donnovan are joined by two guests to discuss.  Ryan Sickman is the Global Director of Sports at Gensler, an architecture, design and consulting firm. He talks about the willingness of fans to change their behaviour at events, what franchises will focus on when...

The NFL is moving ahead on its season amidst a pandemic and social unrest around racial injustice. Like Major League Baseball, there will be no bubble involved. But unlike MLB, there will be fans in some venues. Can the league pull it off? Richard and Donnovan are joined by two guests to get some perspective. Jim Trotter is a veteran NFL reporter. He discusses whether an NFL bubble would have been feasible, why some teams chose to have fans in the stands while others didn’t, the impact...

The NFL is moving ahead on its season amidst a pandemic and social unrest around racial injustice. Like Major League Baseball, there will be no bubble involved. But unlike MLB, there will be fans in some venues. Can the league pull it off? Richard and Donnovan are joined by two guests to get some perspective. Jim Trotter is a veteran NFL reporter. He discusses whether an NFL bubble would have been feasible, why some teams chose to have fans in the stands while others didn’t, the impact...

As players in other sports opt out and test positive, bubbles are proving to be the way to go to keep everyone involved safe from COVID-19. The NHL has had two positive tests since mid-July and none in its bubbles, the TV product has been pretty much exactly the same — minus fans in the stands — and the early game play has been better than expected.  So how did the NHL pull this off? Steve Mayer is the league’s Chief Content Officer — the person responsible for creating the...

As players in other sports opt out and test positive, bubbles are proving to be the way to go to keep everyone involved safe from COVID-19. The NHL has had two positive tests since mid-July and none in its bubbles, the TV product has been pretty much exactly the same — minus fans in the stands — and the early game play has been better than expected.  So how did the NHL pull this off? Steve Mayer is the league’s Chief Content Officer — the person responsible for creating the...

Just about a week into the season and already the Miami Marlins have seen their campaign paused due to a major COVID-19 outbreak and other series are being postponed due to positive tests around the league. Richard and Donnovan discuss the trouble Major League Baseball is in with two guests. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle shares her thoughts on the outbreaks, if we’ll see more players opt out, what type of safety protocols are in place for media in Oakland and if...

Just about a week into the season and already the Miami Marlins have seen their campaign paused due to a major COVID-19 outbreak and other series are being postponed due to positive tests around the league. Richard and Donnovan discuss the trouble Major League Baseball is in with two guests. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle shares her thoughts on the outbreaks, if we’ll see more players opt out, what type of safety protocols are in place for media in Oakland and if...

Three leagues. Three situations. Three broadcasters. The NBA, NHL and MLB have landed on different plans to get back to playing. And how the games will be broadcasted will depend on the situation. Richard and Donnovan are joined by three veteran voices of the games to discuss how they will be working during the most unique summer of sports in history. Kevin Harlan will be in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Chris Cuthbert will be in Edmonton, one of the NHL’s two hub cities, and Dan...

Three leagues. Three situations. Three broadcasters. The NBA, NHL and MLB have landed on different plans to get back to playing. And how the games will be broadcasted will depend on the situation. Richard and Donnovan are joined by three veteran voices of the games to discuss how they will be working during the most unique summer of sports in history. Kevin Harlan will be in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Chris Cuthbert will be in Edmonton, one of the NHL’s two hub cities, and Dan...

While lockdowns of varying degrees continue across the United States and Canada and other sports return in bubbles, Major League Baseball is set to become the first North American league to hold games on both sides of the 49th parallel. While a proposed exemption still needs federal sign-off from Ottawa,  Ontario premier Doug Ford is very confident MLB teams will be able to travel into and out of Toronto without adhering to the mandatory 14-day quarantine still under effect for international...

While lockdowns of varying degrees continue across the United States and Canada and other sports return in bubbles, Major League Baseball is set to become the first North American league to hold games on both sides of the 49th parallel. While a proposed exemption still needs federal sign-off from Ottawa,  Ontario premier Doug Ford is very confident MLB teams will be able to travel into and out of Toronto without adhering to the mandatory 14-day quarantine still under effect for international...

Major League Soccer is set to return to action this week. And although COVID-19 is doing its best to make sure the MLS is Back Tournament doesn’t get off the ground as planned — including increasing numbers of positive tests, travel issues for Canadian clubs and games being postponed — the first step in returning to play was the negotiations between the league and its players. Richard and Donnovan are joined by two guests who help shed some light on how those — at times contentious — talks...

Major League Soccer is set to return to action this week. And although COVID-19 is doing its best to make sure the MLS is Back Tournament doesn’t get off the ground as planned — including increasing numbers of positive tests, travel issues for Canadian clubs and games being postponed — the first step in returning to play was the negotiations between the league and its players. Richard and Donnovan are joined by two guests who help shed some light on how those — at times contentious — talks...

The Notso Amazon Softball League was founded in 1983 to provide recreational softball for lesbians, bisexual women, queer women, queer-allied women and trans people of all skill levels. The not-for-profit organization was one of the first rec leagues in Toronto to cancel its season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  Laura Couch is the league’s Vice President. She joins Richard and Donnovan to talk about the league’s history, growth, sponsorships and the decision to cancel the...

The Notso Amazon Softball League was founded in 1983 to provide recreational softball for lesbians, bisexual women, queer women, queer-allied women and trans people of all skill levels. The not-for-profit organization was one of the first rec leagues in Toronto to cancel its season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  Laura Couch is the league’s Vice President. She joins Richard and Donnovan to talk about the league’s history, growth, sponsorships and the decision to cancel the...

Listeners will remember Dr. Andrew Morris from Episode-1. He is an antimicrobial expert, professor at the University of Toronto School of Medicine and an avid basketball fan. During his first conversation with Richard and Donnovan, Dr. Morris said COVID-19 might not just impact this season but also next, and that bubble leagues weren’t practical.  This past week, Richard and Donnovan hosted Writers Bloc on Sportsnet 590 The FAN and Dr. Morris joined them to update his thoughts on the...

Listeners will remember Dr. Andrew Morris from Episode-1. He is an antimicrobial expert, professor at the University of Toronto School of Medicine and an avid basketball fan. During his first conversation with Richard and Donnovan, Dr. Morris said COVID-19 might not just impact this season but also next, and that bubble leagues weren’t practical.  This past week, Richard and Donnovan hosted Writers Bloc on Sportsnet 590 The FAN and Dr. Morris joined them to update his thoughts on the...

Leave it to baseball to make a global pandemic even worse. While sports leagues around the world are attempting to make the best of a really bad situation, MLB and the MLBPA are turning America’s Pastime into something of a sideshow. Richard and Donnovan slide head-first into the conversation with long-time MLB reporter Shi Davidi. He explains exactly why the two sides can’t agree on much of anything, including a modified schedule and return-to-play plan, and discusses the potential...

Leave it to baseball to make a global pandemic even worse. While sports leagues around the world are attempting to make the best of a really bad situation, MLB and the MLBPA are turning America’s Pastime into something of a sideshow. Richard and Donnovan slide head-first into the conversation with long-time MLB reporter Shi Davidi. He explains exactly why the two sides can’t agree on much of anything, including a modified schedule and return-to-play plan, and discusses the potential...

Though any drama around the Premier League title is non-existent thanks to Liverpool’s dominant performance through its first 29 games, there is definitely intrigue around the return of English football. Rob Harris is the Associated Press’ global sports correspondent. He joins Donnovan and Richard to talk about the return of professional soccer in England and some of the challenges Project Restart could face. They discuss medical protocols, who will be allowed in stadiums, what...

Though any drama around the Premier League title is non-existent thanks to Liverpool’s dominant performance through its first 29 games, there is definitely intrigue around the return of English football. Rob Harris is the Associated Press’ global sports correspondent. He joins Donnovan and Richard to talk about the return of professional soccer in England and some of the challenges Project Restart could face. They discuss medical protocols, who will be allowed in stadiums, what...