ABSTRACT
Wednesday, March 11, 2020, was a catastrophic day for sports fans in the United States. This day began with a few minor athletic events being postponed, but ended with the world of sports ultimately being put on hold due to suspensions and cancellations of seasons and leagues because of the novel coronavirus outbreak. It is questionable whether the public recognized Covid-19 as a serious threat at this time, even with cases originating in China dating back to December of 2019. For the research upon which this chapter is based, 201 United States residents were surveyed in an attempt to ascertain which announcement caused them to believe this virus was “real.” In doing so, the chapter examines sport’s ability to impact public consciousness regarding a public health pandemic. The study’s findings – which reveal the degree to which participants chose a sport-related announcement (e.g., suspension of play) as the key instrument in their recognition of the seriousness of Covid-19 – illustrate the strength of sport as a cultural influencer and an effective public health communication medium.
