COVID-19 and the sports sector

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted every aspect of the sporting value chain. The sports industry as a whole provides millions of jobs and has an estimated value of US$756 billion annually. The global cancellation of sporting events affected athletes, teams, leagues, and media that broadcast games. The three main sources of income for professional sports leagues – broadcasting (sales of media rights), commercial (sponsorship and advertising partnerships) and match day revenue (ticketing and hospitality) – all decreased significantly.