April 18, 2020

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

The sports world has been turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic and the safety measures enacted by authorities. Many of the professional sports leagues have seen their 2020 seasons shut down or postponed indefinitely. For the two teams that call the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena home it’s the off season but staff members are continuing to work hard from home.

“Full steam ahead” is how KC Mavericks Director of Communications Brian McGannon says it’s been for team staff members. All staff have been working from home since last month soon after the ECHL season was suspended. Ticket staff members is working remotely as they prepare for the ticket needs for the upcoming 2020-21 season. The operations staff take cues from the NHL and AHL and the teams the Mavericks are affiliated with. That would be the Calgary Flames and Stockton Heat respectively.

McGannon says he “feels lucky no staff turnover” this off season. Support for the off-season activities during this difficult time comes from KC Mavericks team owner Lamar Hunt, Jr. as McGannon states “is taking care of us.” The team continues to follow their normal off-season protocols. Staff members are sad there will be no ECHL league meetings in June. The week-long meetings were scheduled to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Much like the Mavericks, the Kansas City Comets are conducting their normal off-season activities after having their 2019-20 season cut short. The Kansas City Comets missed out on saying goodbye to their fans on March 22, which was set to be the Comets last home game of the 2019-20 season. All staff have been working from home as their team office at HyVee Arena is closed due to the stay at home order in Kansas City.

The Comets staff members keep up on off-season activities thanks to group chats via text and Zoom calls. The team is staying in touch with their fan base thanks to keeping content fresh on social media. KC Comets Director of Communications Pat Clifton is responsible for that content. Clifton has started a popular series online showing the Comets players at home. The feature shows different Comets players at home in their new routine thanks to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Like the Mavericks the Comets are pleased with the response of their fan base during this difficult time. The indoor soccer franchise have seen season ticket renewals of over 90%. The Comets normally throw an end-of-season event for their fans to show appreciation for all of their support shown all season long. Team staff has plans to keep that tradition alive by waiting for rules to relax and then holding an event at the Kansas City Soccer Dome.

When the Mavericks and Comets return to action in front of their fans for a game it will be played in the newly renamed Cable-Dahmer Arena, formerly known as Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. Both teams staff are working hard and along with their fan bases look forward to a successful new season that they hope will start on time.