Pac-12 Cancels Tournament, All Events Until Further Notice

SEATTLE, WA — The Pac-12 Conference has canceled the remainder of its men's basketball tournament, and suspended all other competitions and championships until further notice, officials announced Thursday.

ESPN reports the SEC, ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 college conferences have enacted similar measures, as sports leagues across the nation navigate a growing outbreak of the new coronavirus in the United States. The NBA suspended its season Wednesday night and Major League Soccer suspended all play for 30 days Thursday morning.

News of the major sports cancellations follows a directive by Gov. Jay Inslee banning public gatherings with more than 250 people in three Washington counties, which includes sporting events. Gov. Gavin Newsom, of California, recommended similar measures across the nation's most populated state Wednesday evening.

The Pac-12 Conference includes the University of Washington and Washington State University college athletics programs, along with the University of Oregon and Oregon State University.

In a statement posted on social media, conference leadership said the decision was made "in the interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes, campus personnel, working and event personnel, and all those who attend Pac-12 events."