The Oakland Panthers of the Indoor Football League have changed their minds.
A day after stating they would play their inaugural game against the Iowa Barnstormers this weekend, the team, which is co-owned by former Raiders and Cal running back Marshawn Lynch, announced Friday that it has canceled Saturday's game.
As we have stated since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the safety of our fans, players, & staff remains our top priority. After continually monitoring the situation nationally, we have decided to cancel our Opening Game March 14, against Iowa. https://t.co/hgpJeY8zwt
— Oakland Panthers (@Oak_Panthers) March 13, 2020
"Though we enter an almost unprecedented period of uncertainty in sports history, our team, our community and our fans will come out of it stronger than ever," the team said in a statement.