Spike Lee & Knicks Scuffle, Players Avoid High-Fives, Princeton Upset Over Lynch As Graduation Speaker, March Madness W/No Fans?
BASKETBALL
The New York Knicks and their biggest long-time celebrity fan Spike Lee are engaged in a bit of a scuffle. The issue developed after Lee was told he wasn’t allowed to use the “employee” entrance to the arena. Video circulated showing Lee yelling at the security team. The next morning, Lee told ESPN’s First Take, “I’m coming back next year, but I’m done for the season.” This incident is not only a PR nightmare for the Knicks as Spike Lee is synonymous with the franchise, but financially, Lee has spent approximately $10 million over the last 30 years on season tickets.
In order to avoid spreading the coronavirus, the NBA told players to avoid high-fiving fans and avoid handling a stranger’s items for autographs.
OTHER
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has been selected as the “Class Day” speaker for Princeton’s graduation this year, but a group of students from the school wrote an op-ed in the school newspaper expressing their disappointment. They claim their main objection is they weren’t consulted on the process for selecting graduation speakers, but they also cited the quote from Lynch before Super Bowl XLIX where he stated, “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” as a potential reason why he wouldn’t be a good, motivating communicator.
NCAA BASKETBALL
An advocacy group is urging the NCAA to consider holding its March Madness tournament with no fans as a way of preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. NCAA Chief Operating Officer did not dismiss the suggestion and told Bloomberg News, “We’ve contingency planned for all circumstances.”
