No one has to tell you that it has been a weird spring for sports this year, but with easing coronavirus restrictions, sports are ready to make a comeback this summer, and so are the sportsbooks. While it would take weeks for us to get back most of our sports, some form of normalcy is expected this summer. A few of the leagues are planning to finish their seasons, some in Europe are already playing, and future sports are set to go as scheduled.
For sports fans in the USA, NASCAR is already back in business and drawing plenty of new viewers, as well as bettors at the sportsbooks. All of the top online sportsbooks are posting not only odds on the NASCAR races, but a ton of props to make betting on the racing events much more interesting, than what we are used to. And while there are no spectators allowed around the track so far, people will still have the chance to enjoy the races at home, making it for a much more normal Sunday afternoon.
UFC, of course, is still plowing away, all cards staying on schedule. The most fearless sport continues to bring some solace to fans, bettors and sportsbooks. Considering the fact that betting on the UFC fights is much easier than, let’s say, NBA over/unders, the sportsbooks have been in full force catering to UFC bettors for a while now. And speaking of the NBA, there are reports circulating right now that the most popular basketball league in the world is in talks with Disney to continue the season at their ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. How much of this would pan out, time will tell, but you can tell NBA is itching to get back into action, and they definitely want to avoid competing directly with the NFL, since it would not be pretty for the NBA.
Sadly, the most quintessentially American sport may have to
forgo the 2020 season altogether.
MLB sportsbook action would be missed,
but so far all we have heard is arguments between players and owners
over money. At this time, with millions of Americans at the proverbial
unemployment line, watching millionaires (and billionaires) arguing over
money, instead of both sides “taking one for the team” and getting back
to playing the game, would certainly damage the sport for years to come.
College sports may also be off the table this season. Surprisingly, the
athletes under least danger of the virus would be the one most likely
not to play. But this is the price to pay for living in a litigious
society.
No need to tell you that Europe is also coming back, most
welcomed news for the fans of soccer. With Belarus’ soccer league the
only active sports league in the world for a few weeks, many American
bettors have taken on learning a few rules in order to stave off
boredom. Now on of the top leagues, the Bundesliga, is back, although
without spectators. But on the bright side, the sportsbooks will blow
your mind with the betting options available on those games. And it may
be worth it to get a bit deeper into soccer, since other leagues are
coming back at the beginning of June. With no MLB and questionable NBA,
soccer (both European and MLS) may be the only serious action, when it
comes to team sports. The sportsbooks are ready, are you?