All-Star Covid-19 / Varsity Response

[DonnaM]

I’m guessing they can combine D1 and D2 and have space left over. Possibly D1, D2 and Worlds. Even some of the gyms that are hanging on for Worlds have pulled their summit teams. Even parents with “can be done at home”
jobs aren’t feeling super comfortable on the financial side now.

I also do feel that the farther up the chain the cancellation goes, the better. It is a lot easier to live with your child when you can empathize with them than when you are the one who had to say no. And right now, almost everything they used to do is a “no”.

 

[AScheer]

They're saying they'll decide by 4/24.

Is there any single state planning to even lift COVID restrictions before 5/1?

Our stay at home order is only through April 15th. Our schools are currently only closed through April 30th. I'm in Tennessee, same state as varsity/usasf /etc headquarters. This could be the reasoning behind their 24th assessment date? Our governor has been getting a lot of criticism for not doing enough. Memphis (where varsity is) and Nashville are getting hit with cases, but I would say we haven't even started the climb to the peak here. Its not good right now but we are preparing for it to get really bad. I'm quite certain our dates will get extended, but there are many here that fully believe life is back next week.

 

[AScheer]

Saw yesterday Stingrays Marietta is still in for summit. Worlds wasn't mentioned in the post, but I would assume worlds is still in the plan too.

 

[catlady]

There are a lot of articles coming out on the legal aspects of contracts and COVID19. Most event contracts include a postponement clause that state should an event not be able to take place on the original date it can be postponed without loss or damages to venue and event planner. Most contracts, also, have a Force Majeure clause which would excuse one or both parties obligation when circumstances arise which are beyond one or both parties control and make it impossible to have an event. However, courts don't have much experience in what fits into that category, and many contracts use different terminology when it comes to disease or acts of God which complicates it further. In other words, Varsity could just declare Force Majeure with these government venues and Disney, but the venue owners could challenge Varsity in court. That's a lot of contracts and millions of dollars to battle. Most companies are looking for amicable and cost effective ways to deal with these contracts first. These cities, venues, companies and corps are going to follow the government and CDC recommendations, but if Varsity or these venues "just cancel" without being in agreement, they are in breach of contract.

Breach of Contract and Force Majeure in the Age of COVID-19
Coronavirus is Force Majeure for Some Companies - Bloomberg
The Coronavirus and Force Majeure Clauses in Contracts - Akerman LLP

 

[Lisa Seye]

There are a lot of articles coming out on the legal aspects of contracts and COVID19. Most event contracts include a postponement clause that state should an event not be able to take place on the original date it can be postponed without loss or damages to venue and event planner. Most contracts, also, have a Force Majeure clause which would excuse one or both parties obligation when circumstances arise which are beyond one or both parties control and make it impossible to have an event. However, courts don't have much experience in what fits into that category, and many contracts use different terminology when it comes to disease or acts of God which complicates it further. In other words, Varsity could just declare Force Majeure with these government venues and Disney, but the venue owners could challenge Varsity in court. That's a lot of contracts and millions of dollars to battle. Most companies are looking for amicable and cost effective ways to deal with these contracts first. These cities, venues, companies and corps are going to follow the government and CDC recommendations, but if Varsity or these venues "just cancel" without being in agreement, they are in breach of contract.

Breach of Contract and Force Majeure in the Age of COVID-19
Coronavirus is Force Majeure for Some Companies - Bloomberg
The Coronavirus and Force Majeure Clauses in Contracts - Akerman LLP

Yes. I've tried to mention to folks they may not be able to simply cancel as we dont know exactly what's in their contracts.

For one family to cancel their vrbo in Orlando and not be able to get their money back is a hassle to that family. Imagine huge corporations like Disney and Varsity trying to agree on something like this. It's not a simple thing.

Unless things take a drastic upturn soon, I feel it will be cancelled, but negotiations have to happen and at least families have been given a date by which they will decide. That's more than folks have had before. So let's see what happens by the 24th.

They have employees too who are being laid off. Those employees have no work to do with no comps, camps, uniform orders. It's not just a dude sitting at a desk pocketing all the money. Its everyday folks whose livelihoods are at stake as well. Just like the countless others who have been let go from their jobs all across the country.

It's a sad situation all around.

 

[CheerItFullOut]

Yes! I hate to break it to everyone... but I firmly believe both Varsity and Disney are STUCK... it’s not a matter of if they WANT to have an event- in fact, I’m pretty sure they would rather not... it’s a matter of 1. They could get sued by every sponsorship/partnership involved 2. They could owe a poop load of money for being THE entity that pulls out of a binding contract they legally CAN’T prematurely pull out of.
Disney is “slated” to re-open in June. (They have expressed a new summer offer and started re-taking reservations starting 6/1) ... it wouldn’t shock me one bit if they had a “soft” or “modified” opening shortly before that pending federal and state regulations.
there are a TON of factors that come into play many know nothing about...

 

[BlueCat]

I agree that re-planning/hosting/cancelling the year-end events are staggeringly complex dilemmas for Varsity/USASF. There are simply far more factors to consider than the average person simply can imagine. I don't envy this particular situation for them.

For both entities (Varsity, USASF): I like most of the things they do & disagree with a few things they do. However, I will try not to criticize them for how they handle this. This is a "black swan", unforeseeable situation that forces them to choose among a slew of really bad options.

 

[MomMomMamaMom]

Yes. I've tried to mention to folks they may not be able to simply cancel as we dont know exactly what's in their contracts.

For one family to cancel their vrbo in Orlando and not be able to get their money back is a hassle to that family. Imagine huge corporations like Disney and Varsity trying to agree on something like this. It's not a simple thing.

Unless things take a drastic upturn soon, I feel it will be cancelled, but negotiations have to happen and at least families have been given a date by which they will decide. That's more than folks have had before. So let's see what happens by the 24th.

They have employees too who are being laid off. Those employees have no work to do with no comps, camps, uniform orders. It's not just a dude sitting at a desk pocketing all the money. Its everyday folks whose livelihoods are at stake as well. Just like the countless others who have been let go from their jobs all across the country.

It's a sad situation all around.

I agree. And, of course, being able to re-start has to be on everyone’s minds. Getting people back to work, balancing multiple predictive models, and feeling triumphant and rewarded after all these drastic measures, are all things we all have to balance too.

The part that is sad to me is that it highlights the fact that economy and personal health have a jagged interface. What we do for work, for enrichment, for fun, should balance out with the risks we take. I totally get that both Varsity and Disney are entities that do provide sustenance for their employees, etc. and that they have a certain responsibility to get people back to work when they can. I’m just concerned that a rush to “enrichment” and entertainment activities is not where we should start. Our vulnerability has been exposed, and we should take those lessons to heart. Public Health measures need to become a part of the sport now.

That being said, it is becoming more likely that there will be huge differences in regional experiences of this pandemic. And both Varsity and Disney have clients from all regions... so that has to play into it too.

 

[XtremeWpg]

I don't even think we have an "end date" here. Or even a reevaluate date. Across the board when asked, government and health officials have said that we'll be in this for as long as it takes.

I expect that it won't even be a consideration for me to go back go work until mid May. I can't do my job from home at all since you can't run a clinic from your living room, oh and our dentists are prohibited from performing anything other than emergency treatment. Thankfully Canada has a benefit for me financially, and that my husband is essential service and making full wage plus OT. Without the ability for us to defer our mortgage and car loans, we'd be teetering on not making it. And we don't even have children to consider.

I think anyone to expect that large gatherings or travel will be allowed before the end of summer is being pie in the sky optimistic

 

[CLynn]

For what it's worth, I haven't seen WCSS or Orange (Rays) make a statement on participating or backing out either.

Assuming they are also virtual practicing?

How does one virtual practice? Just drills/stretching? That's all I can think of.

Well, currently people coming from NY and NJ face a 14 day quarantine when entering Florida so that makes it fairly tricky for WCSS huh? Nobody can say when those travel restrictions will ease...

I think anyone to expect that large gatherings or travel will be allowed before the end of summer is being pie in the sky optimistic

1000x this!

 

[catlady]

I think anyone to expect that large gatherings or travel will be allowed before the end of summer is being pie in the sky optimistic

Most business experts are stating 1-2 months of shelter in place is all that can be worldwide economically endured. At some point, much sooner than most people think, a country has to go back to business as usual. Right now, global governments and banks are going in the same direction trying to get money and relief out to the people, not just Canada, but that can only last so long before industries, including hospitals, collapse. It's pie in the sky optimistic to believe we can shelter in place for months.

Economic Recovery From COVID-19 And Geopolitical Ramifications
india covid 19 lockdown: Experts peg India's cost of Covid-19 lockdown at USD 120 bn - The Economic Times

 

[CLynn]

Most business experts are stating 1-2 months of shelter in place is all that can be worldwide economically endured. At some point, much sooner than most people think, a country has to go back to business as usual. Right now, global governments and banks are going in the same direction trying to get money and relief out to the people, not just Canada, but that can only last so long before industries, including hospitals, collapse. It's pie in the sky optimistic to believe we can shelter in place for months.

Economic Recovery From COVID-19 And Geopolitical Ramifications
india covid 19 lockdown: Experts peg India's cost of Covid-19 lockdown at USD 120 bn - The Economic Times

There is an enormous difference between lifting shelter in place restrictions in certain localities and gathering thousands of people from multiple countries together. Without question, the former will happen much sooner than the latter.

 

[Sterling von Shimmer]

This is exactly why people are side-eyeing CSP right now.

There's a difference between remaining hopeful and silently waiting on how the situation plays out vs. being vocal about how adamant you are that the season MUST go on. I know some people call it "hope", but you can hope without constantly sharing how you have "chosen to hope" and a vague article about a cure for COVID-19 just being around the corner.

Programs that have ended their season haven't given up hope, they want this pandemic to end just as much as the programs that have chosen to continue. Referring to ending the season as a sign of no hope, which is suggestive when you use the word "chosen", just doesn't come off well.

I’m not familiar with CSP’s social media accounts so I haven’t read anything she’s posted, but I’m feeling pretty forgiving toward her these days.

For one, she’s not in a hot spot. She probably isn’t aware of how serious this is because it’s not playing out right in front of her face like it is for others.

Secondly, she’s literally got her whole family wrapped up in cheer and a daughter that was supposed to win her first Worlds ring in a few weeks. This whole year has been about SE, and now their chance has been dashed... again. I can’t imagine it’s easy living with that disappointment not only from a coaching standpoint, but a parental standpoint. And yes, you could say that lots of other parents are experiencing this same thing, but CSP is unique in that she knows she can kind of do something to save Worlds this year — for both her gym and her daughter — but also not really. It’s a weird spot she’s in. The stakes are higher for her any way you cut it. So I’m not surprised she’s hanging in there. IDK if she meant to shade other gyms with her wording, but I just feel for her.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I’m not familiar with CSP’s social media accounts so I haven’t read anything she’s posted, but I’m feeling pretty forgiving toward her these days.

For one, she’s not in a hot spot. She probably isn’t aware of how serious this is because it’s not playing out right in front of her face like it is for others.

Secondly, she’s literally got her whole family wrapped up in cheer and a daughter that was supposed to win her first Worlds ring in a few weeks. This whole year has been about SE, and now their chance has been dashed... again. I can’t imagine it’s easy living with that disappointment not only from a coaching standpoint, but a parental standpoint. And yes, you could say that lots of other parents are experiencing this same thing, but CSP is unique in that she knows she can kind of do something to save Worlds this year — for both her gym and her daughter — but also not really. It’s a weird spot she’s in. The stakes are higher for her any way you cut it. So I’m not surprised she’s hanging in there. IDK if she meant to shade other gyms with her wording, but I just feel for her.

You say that like SE had Worlds in the bag, which would be a very, very far reach for anyone to think, even CSP. Them getting "lucky" that nobody else could hit all season wouldn't really matter at Worlds unless they made some pretty major upgrades. Since they did have arguably the weakest routine in the division.

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[Sterling von Shimmer]

You say that like SE had Worlds in the bag, which would be a very, very far reach for anyone to think, even CSP. Them getting "lucky" that nobody else could hit all season wouldn't really matter at Worlds unless they made some pretty major upgrades. Since they did have arguably the weakest routine in the division.

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No, they did not have Worlds in the bag by any stretch. But they did clean up this year by triple crowning and winning NCA for the first time in forever. So they definitely had a shot and it’s not unrealistic to think they could’ve finally done it this year. I don’t think it’s luck that they’ve been so successful this time around. Other teams may have had more difficulty, but that really doesn’t count if you can’t hit when you need to.