ESPN study: Fans want sports back even if they can't attend games

The COVID-19 pandemic put the bulk of the professional and collegiate sports world on pause in mid-March. Competitions throughout Europe and the United States remain suspended due to the virus outbreak, and other events have occurred without fans in attendance. 

WrestleMania, mixed martial arts bouts and soccer matches that transpired behind closed doors made for awkward and eerily silent viewing experiences. Nevertheless, many American fans would prefer to watch such events than have no sports at all. 

On Monday morning, ESPN released the findings of its "Coronavirus Lockdown Fan Study" and confirmed what many assumed: Fans want sports back even if they can't attend games. 

Per the study, 65 percent of the 1,004 fans surveyed said they approve of sports returning amid the coronavirus pandemic even if spectators aren't in the stands; 76 percent said they approve of plans that involve players quarantining in hotels and having their health closely monitored throughout a campaign; and 88 percent said they "plan to watch as much sports as they can" whenever events return. 

UFC 249 and golf matches are scheduled to occur in Florida this month. NASCAR is set to resume its season on May 17. The NBA, NHL and MLB remain indefinitely suspended. 

Games and other events occurring without fans inside venues has become a polarizing subject around the world. Recently, DW News reported only one-third of surveyed German supporters favor the Bundesliga hosting what have been referred to as "ghost games," matches without fans.

On Monday, Matt Maher of the Express & Star wrote about how fans of Premier League club Aston Villa have campaigned against empty-stadium matches.