MAC Becomes First FBS Conference to Cancel Football Season Over COVID Concerns

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The Mid-American Conference has canceled its football season this fall because of player health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19.

The decision was made Saturday morning after league presidents met to discuss the upcoming 2020 season and voted to cancel it. Northern Illinois president Lisa Freeman, a former research scientist at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, indicated on Thursday reportedly that her school would not play this fall because of the health and safety concerns according to Brett McMurphy of Stadium Sports.

The MAC also reportedly lost $10.5 million dollars because of the Power Five’s decision to eliminate or reduce non-conference games and Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports said the conference was left with only five "pay" games with the Power 5 left in 2020.

Thamel also says the MAC could explore the spring as a potential option to play games.

The decision on Saturday also cancels all other fall sports at Mid-American Conference schools.

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