Thread by @ajit_bhaskar, I'm going to vent about the way IPL is happening in these [...]

I'm going to vent about the way IPL is happening in these times.
I'm not against it at all. In fact, I truly believe that sports has healing powers to bring communities together during a time of crisis. Let me cite 2 examples from personal experience. I've spent ~ a decade in

the US. When Katrina wrecked the New Orleans area, NBA hosted a game, where they didn't charge anyone money for tickets and the proceeds went towards a relief fund. I remember Tracy McGrady lighting it up in the second half vividly.
https://www-nba-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.nba.com/amp/rockets/news/NBA_Players_Hurricane_Relief_G-150729-822.html?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16193328975140&amp_ct=1619332970444&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nba.com%2Frockets%2Fnews%2FNBA_Players_Hurricane_Relief_G-150729-822.html

The game didn't save lives but certainly lifted people's spirits. Gave them so e sense of hope.
The other powerful examples come from baseball. Mets Braves about a week-10days right after 9/11. Mike Piazza's homer was a real shot in the arm. People cried
https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-21-2001-piazza-homer-leads-mets-in-new-york-citys-first-baseball-game-after-9-11/

And rejoiced. Even the Braves' manager Bobby Cox admitted that the Mets weren't the enemy that day...for a few minutes, at least ;)
Then of course, Yankees D Backs WS game 3 with Bush throwing the 1st pitch. Jeter hugging a firefighter. Truly hair raising moments. Mariano Rivera

Saving the game for the Yankees. They lost the WS though. https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/torre-rivera-help-make-history-at-game-3-of-2001-world-series

Torre, Rivera help make history at Game 3 of 2001 World Series

Two Hall of Famers - and a U.S. President - took the field for Game 3 of the 2001 World Series.

https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/torre-rivera-help-make-history-at-game-3-of-2001-world-series

The Rams and the Patriots saw the rise of Tom Brady during that time. So yes, sports has the ability to evoke hope in the times of despair.
Equally important is the fact that all major league sports - NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL have formal mechanisms to give back to the community. NBA

Cares is the first to xample that comes to mind. There are ads running for it all the time during the season. And the players don't shy away from expressing their views or donating money or physically participating in community outreach during crisis.
Take Katrina for example.

NFL donated $21 million, while MLB and NBA donated around $10 million each.
https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/23/sports/sports-business-in-katrina-relief-some-leagues-are-digging-deeper.html#:~:text=Baseball's%20donations%20for%20Katrina%20relief,item%20purchased%20at%20MLB.com.

SPORTS BUSINESS; In Katrina Relief, Some Leagues Are Digging Deeper (Published 2005)

The National Football League has far surpassed other professional sports leagues in giving for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, according to a review of what has been donated by the millionaire...

https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/23/sports/sports-business-in-katrina-relief-some-leagues-are-digging-deeper.html#:~:text=Baseball's%20donations%20for%20Katrina%20relief,item%20purchased%20at%20MLB.com

NHL and the players'association donated $1 million. There were jerseys auctioned and other proceeds went to katrina relief. Even Canadian teams raised money and donated to Red Cross. https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leaf-sports-entertainment-supports-hurricane-katrina-relief-efforts/c-460197

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Supports Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

The latest news, analysis and stories from NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League

https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leaf-sports-entertainment-supports-hurricane-katrina-relief-efforts/c-460197

Some NBA players who constantly give back to community.
Providing foster care for 10000 kids in Oklahoma, setting up scholarships, building playgrounds, paying for the funeral and supporting the family of a slain 6 month old child are a few examples. …https://syndication-bleacherreport-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/1992200-10-nba-players-with-the-most-love-for-their-communities.amp.html?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16193319274347&amp_ct=1619331948027&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s

10 NBA Players with the Most Love for Their Communities

Professional athletes live in one of the most sought after limelights the world has to offer, and there is no better experience than to witness these larger-than-life figures take their time and...

https://syndication-bleacherreport-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/1992200-10-nba-players-with-the-most-love-for-their-communities.amp.html?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16193319274347&amp_ct=1619331948027&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s

This is how local heroes are made.
There is no denying that there is greed in American sports. But when a tragedy strikes, the awareness of the surrounding environment is remarkable. Admire it or call it marketing gimmicks, the fact is, they give back. Significantly.

The commentary is poignant. The games ensuing any tragedy...almost always begins with acknowledging the tough times and thanking people working to set things straight. There is no fox vs NBC sports. There is a brief semblance of true unity.
Now, coming to ipl. I just googled

IPL covid relief. I was naturally disappointed with the results.
From whatever little I know, there is not only any formal commitment towards relief efforts, but absolitely little to no acknowledgement of the events around us. There is a goddamn pandemic going on!

Is stay home, stay safe really hard to message? Get vaccinated, people! Is that so hard to say? People in the US (I have lived there so for whatever it is worth, I'll draw comparisons f om those experiences) are massively vocal about issues and current events. What I. Seeing here

I am* seeing here is a shocking silence from most players. It is like they are living in their own bubble. Either they aren't aware of the pandemic or just "playing it safe" by not saying anything about. The commentators aren't doing any better either.
The impression is that

Move along, nothing to see here. Just a fun game. Positive energy. Hell yeah (insert local team) rules! Come watch us play in drones.
But do correct me. I am happy to learn.
Is there anything announced in terms of a charity game for covid relief? Has anyone donated a paycheck?

Does ipl have a formal mechanism to go ve back to the community? Any plans of doing so? My problem is not with the ipl. In fact, if done right, it could have a good impact. It's the sheer gaudiness, bordering on tawdriness with poor awareness & acknowledgement of the environment

, let alone setting up measures (even if just donating money) that bothers me. Thousands of people are dying and suffering. Silence tantamounts to indifference and that is unacceptable.
Wake up. Read the room. The country. It is ok to get out of your "bubble", for a change.

While we're on the subject of covid, here is how NFL is helping. Food distribution, donations (more than $50k from multiple teams), helping homeless people, Partnering with Honeywell to provide PPE etc. https://operations.nfl.com/inside-football-ops/community-impact/the-nfl-family-responds-to-the-covid-19-crisis/

The NFL Family Responds to the COVID-19 Crisis | NFL Football Operations

Learn what the NFL, its teams and players are doing to help during these unprecedented times.

https://operations.nfl.com/inside-football-ops/community-impact/the-nfl-family-responds-to-the-covid-19-crisis/

NBA and the players'association have donated more than $5 million towards covid relief. Towards PPE, donations to clinics for performing their duties better etc. https://www.forbes.com/sites/evandammarell/2020/05/01/nba-players-nbpa-foundation-have-donated-55-million-combined-for-coronavirus-relief/

NBA Players, NBPA Foundation Have Donated $5.5 Million Combined For Coronavirus Relief

During the coronavirus pandemic, NBA Players and NBPA Foundation have donated $5.5 Million combined for relief efforts worldwide.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/evandammarell/2020/05/01/nba-players-nbpa-foundation-have-donated-55-million-combined-for-coronavirus-relief/

MLB has donated more than $1 million.
In addition, they have converted stadiums into vaccination sites! Thousands of vaccines administered at these sites. (Houston Astros). https://www.mlb.com/covid19resources

Coronavirus Information

The Official Site of Major League Baseball

https://www.mlb.com/covid19resources

Steven Matz made an individual donation of $32000 towards NY frontline health workers.
https://www-mlb-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.mlb.com/amp/news/steven-matz-donation-nyc-coronavirus-first-responders.html?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16193368009934&amp_ct=1619336809543&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlb.com%2Fnews%2Fsteven-matz-donation-nyc-coronavirus-first-responders

Couple of NHL players have contributed more than $50k and 5000 medical masks for health workers.
Really hope our folks and heroes step up... https://www.nhl.com/news/jeff-skinner-donates-to-sabres-owners-coronavirus-fund/c-316480554

Eichel donates 5,000 masks, Skinner contributes $53,000 to COVID-19 fight

Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner is stepping up to help people fight the coronavirus by donating $53,000 to the fund established by team owners Kim and Terry Pegula to support hospital employees...

https://www.nhl.com/news/jeff-skinner-donates-to-sabres-owners-coronavirus-fund/c-316480554

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