Lion Links: 3/24/20

Happy Tuesday, everybody. With the school I work at having shifted to online instruction for the foreseeable future, I find myself with more time to work out and exercise than ever before. With that being the case, I’m on the hunt for new and creative exercises to do in order to both kill boredom and improve my well-being. So by all means, if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them. On to the links!

Miami Alters Logo to Support Social Distancing

Inter Miami CF has altered the team’s crest across all of its digital platforms in an effort to encourage social distancing. Two white herons are typically interlocking in the middle of the club’s badge, but the alteration sees them separated and still facing away from each other. Chris Allan, Miami’s VP of Community Engagement had the following to say.

“COVID-19 has stopped the world in its tracks and as a result it has never been more important to heed the advice and direction of the authorities to stand for unity and participation in social distancing. Inter Miami CF wants to leverage the reach of our Club, players and ownership group to amplify and share this message with those who follow us in South Florida and around the world.”

I have to say, the alteration is a neat little gesture to remind everyone to stay home and keep your neighbors safe.

Uncertainty in Women’s Soccer

For as many questions as COVID-19 has caused in men’s soccer, there are even more in the women’s game. In England, women’s team operate at a loss with parent clubs covering their operating costs. Broadcasting deals also aren’t the same as in men’s soccer, with BTSport and the BBC covering the cost of broadcasts but not paying for their rights. There are plenty of fears that parent teams will use the outbreak as an excuse to shutter their women’s teams in the name of cutting costs. Furthermore, players in the Women’s Super League are rarely on contracts longer than a year in duration, and its uncertain what will happen to players when contracts start to end. Basically, there’s a lot of questions and not a lot of answers.

Lewandowski Donates Big

Robert Lewandowski and his wife have donated €1 million to help the continuing efforts to fight the COVID-19 outbreak. The Lewandowskis aren’t the only ones to do so either. The striker’s Bayern Munich teammates, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, have started a campaign where they pledged €1 million between them to start a fundraiser to provide aid to charities and social initiatives in Germany. Plenty of other Bundesliga players gave their support to the campaign, which has already raised over €2.5 million.

Giggs and Neville Open Hotels to NHS Staff

Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville have announced that they will be opening the two hotels they jointly own for workers in the National Health Service to stay in free of charge. Both Hotel Football and The Stock Exchange will be used to quarter National Health Service workers in Manchester, something that Giggs said is “the right thing to do.” The two followed Chelsea FC’s lead after the club announced last week that Stamford Bridge’s Millenium Hotel will be used by NHS workers fighting the COVID-19 outbreak.

Free Kicks

• Miguel Gallardo breaks down Mauricio Pereyra’s game.

The next Orlando City “classic” has been chosen, with the club streaming last year’s wild 4-3 win over the Colorado Rapids this Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

• U.S. Soccer named William Wilson the new CEO and secretary general of the federation. He previously worked for MLS and Soccer United Marketing.
• The first Bundesliga player to test positive for COVID-19 is “really scared” and understandably so.
• Check out a brief history of the Premier League being televised stateside.
• The placement of the corner flag in Newcastle Jets’ game against Melbourne City was…odd.

That’ll be all for me today. Keep up the social distancing and y’all stay safe out there.