The Southeastern Conference announced Wednesday night that the remainder of its men's basketball tournament at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena will be open only to essential staff, limited family and credentialed media.
In addition, the SEC announced that all regular-season contests in all sports on league campuses and upcoming conference championship events will be conducted with similar attendance restrictions from now until March 30. The SEC made the moves after a recommendation of the NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel related to conducting sporting events closed to the public.
"It's been a long day and a difficult day," league commissioner Greg Sankey told the SEC Network. "We have a responsibility to intervene, and this decision has not been made lightly. I'm not sure I understand the full disappointment. It's disappointing to me, but it's a reality that is now upon us.
"We will engage in reimbursing those who purchased tickets through official outlets, and that's a process that will take place as soon that is reasonably possible."
The Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences also will restrict tournament attendance beginning Thursday. The SEC tournament opened Wednesday night with Georgia whipping Ole Miss 81-63, with Thursday's schedule beginning with eighth-seeded Tennessee against ninth-seeded Alabama.
Sankey said 125 to 140 would be the maximum number of representatives per school the rest of the tournament.
Wednesday's news provided another financial setback to Nashville, which is still reeling from last week's tornado damage. Last year's SEC tournament at Bridgestone had an economic impact of $23.5 million for the city.
The limited attendance will affect the SEC's upcoming championships in gymnastics and equestrian. The league set March 30 as a target date to reevaluate conditions.
"This is an increasing public health problem," Sankey said. "The frustration that people feel is a frustration that I share."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.