1851

As the world spins through complete uncertainty — not only in dealing with coronavirus, but also with business aftermath — brands connected to professional sports should begin building contingency plans on what to do should sports be dark for an extended period of time.<blockquote><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2020/03/15/coronavirus-updates-mlb-baseball-season-delay-opening-day-spring-training/5054445002/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=3-things-sports-connected-franchises-and-restaurants-should-consider-major-league-baseball-may-start-even-later-if-at-all-2712526" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">There’s a real possibility the Major League Baseball season could be delayed until Memorial Day weekend — or even longer — two MLB executives told USA TODAY Sports.</a><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2020/03/15/coronavirus-updates-mlb-baseball-season-delay-opening-day-spring-training/5054445002/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=3-things-sports-connected-franchises-and-restaurants-should-consider-major-league-baseball-may-start-even-later-if-at-all-2712526" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The executives spoke on the condition of anonymity since they weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the discussions.</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2020/03/15/coronavirus-updates-mlb-baseball-season-delay-opening-day-spring-training/5054445002/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=3-things-sports-connected-franchises-and-restaurants-should-consider-major-league-baseball-may-start-even-later-if-at-all-2712526" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">No one knows when MLB will be able to begin its 2020 season, but certainly, playing a 162-game schedule starting on April 9 is completely unrealistic.</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2020/03/15/coronavirus-updates-mlb-baseball-season-delay-opening-day-spring-training/5054445002/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=3-things-sports-connected-franchises-and-restaurants-should-consider-major-league-baseball-may-start-even-later-if-at-all-2712526" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Owners and presidents have a conference call at noon ET Monday to determine the next steps, which is changing by the hour as the&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;pandemic sweeps across the world.</a></blockquote>Here are three things brands connected to sports should think about:Playing old sporting games: There is a reason ESPN Classic exists, as well as a reason Chicago sports fans still have a giant smile when talking about the ’85 Bears. People love the memories of amazing sports moments. While restaurants may be closed to dine-in guests for the next few weeks, they should still be thinking about what happens next.E-Games: The rise of video games and game playing continues to spike. What would it look like to stimulate sporting events through a Playstation game? What would it look like to broadcast these? What would it look like to offer betting on these?&nbsp;Moving From Sports to Something Else: Food challenges. Board games. Bloopers. Old sports movies. There are plenty of entertainment options to entertain guests. Start thinking about what promotions you will have when the dust settles.&nbsp;&nbsp;

3 Things Sports-Connected Franchises and Restaurants Should Consider: Major League Baseball May Start Even Later, If at All

1851 Franchise

If your franchise business is connected to professional sports, now is the time to start brainstorming a potential solution.

3-things-sports-connected-franchises-and-restaurants-should-consider-major-league-baseball-may-start-even-later-if-at-all

Layne's Chicken Fingers

image of laynes chicken finger restaurant with 4 hands holding cups in the air to celebrate 

 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Crosses Mid-Year Mark With 11 New Restaurants Opened, Including the First Time the Brand has Seen Two Openings on the Same Day on July 14

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-2025

HomeTeam Inspection Service

image of an employee from home team checking an outlet with an ipad

HomeTeam Inspection Service Franchise Owners Diversify Income With Multi-Service Model

hometeam-inspection-service-revenue-streams

Right at Home

image of jennifer selden right at home franchisee for a webinar with nick powills

Right at Home Franchise Owner Jennifer Selden To Share Franchise Journey, Sparked by Personal Care Experiences

jennifer-selden-right-at-home-franchise-journey-webinar

Paris Baguette Canada

image of a paris baguette bakery cafe latte with delicious food, croissants, and pastries

What Paris Baguette Franchisees Have To Say About Their Experiences

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-eric-chang

image of right at home franchisee gregory brewer for a webinar with nick powills

Gregory Brewer To Share 20-Year Franchise Journey With Right at Home in Upcoming Webinar

gregory-brewer-right-at-home-franchise-winston-salem-webinar

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

sola-salons-franchisee-grows-salon-freedom-into-a-multi-state-powerhouse

3 Things Sports-Connected Franchises and Restaurants Should Consider: Major League Baseball May Start Even Later, If at All

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS