thedenverpost--2020-04-25--North Dakota State defensive end Derrek Tuszka selected by Denver Broncos in seventh round with team

North Dakota State defensive end Derrek Tuszka selected by Denver Broncos in seventh round with team’s final pick of NFL draft

With the penultimate pick of the 2020 NFL draft , the Broncos selected Derrek Tuszka in the seventh round at No .
254 overall .
The last of the Broncos ’ 10 picks this year gave them added depth at defensive end , where Tuszka is projected as a reserve .
Tuszka was a three-year starter at North Dakota State , and the Warner , S.D.
, native capped his college career by being named first-team All-American and the Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive player of the year in 2019 .
He played 15 games each of the past three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East-West Shrine Bowl ) had a huge role in me being drafted , ” Tuszka said .
“ It showed that I could compete at a higher level , and it showed how valuable I can be on special teams .
Between that , and a perfect season and then having a great combine , it all helped to get to this point.
” At 6-foot-5 , 246 pounds , Tuszka had 73 tackles and 29.5 sacks in his college career .
He ’ s the second defensive lineman drafted by the Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agim was taken in the third round at No .
95 overall .
Tuszka trained with Broncos strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow for the NFL combine , and said he “ fell in love with Denver ” during that time .
He was going to be getting multiple free agent offers before the Broncos , with whom he was having conversations , drafted him at the last minute .
“ With the number of free agent offers I was having , they found it was in their best interest to take me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Played in 53 games ( 34 starts ) for the Bison , totaling 29 1/ 2 sacks , 42 tackles for lost yardage and 133 total tackles .
… Had 13 1/2 sacks as a fifth-year senior in 2019 to earn first-team All-America and Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors .
… Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.79 seconds at the combine .

With the penultimate pick of the 2020 NFL draft, the Broncos selected Derrek Tuszka in the seventh round at No. 254 overall.
The last of the Broncos’ 10 picks this year gave them added depth at defensive end, where Tuszka is projected as a reserve.
Tuszka was a three-year starter at North Dakota State, and the Warner, S.D., native capped his college career by being named first-team All-American and the Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive player of the year in 2019. He played 15 games each of the past three seasons.
“I think the (East-West Shrine Bowl) had a huge role in me being drafted,” Tuszka said. “It showed that I could compete at a higher level, and it showed how valuable I can be on special teams. Between that, and a perfect season and then having a great combine, it all helped to get to this point.”
At 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, Tuszka had 73 tackles and 29.5 sacks in his college career. He’s the second defensive lineman drafted by the Broncos this year, after Arkansas’ McTelvin Agim was taken in the third round at No. 95 overall.
Tuszka trained with Broncos strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow for the NFL combine, and said he “fell in love with Denver” during that time. He was going to be getting multiple free agent offers before the Broncos, with whom he was having conversations, drafted him at the last minute.
“With the number of free agent offers I was having, they found it was in their best interest to take me,” he said.
Derrek Tuszka
Round/pick: Seventh/254th overall
Position: Defensive end/outside linebacker
Height/weight: 6-4/251
College: North Dakota State
Hometown: Warner, S.D.
Notable: Played in 53 games (34 starts) for the Bison, totaling 29 1/ 2 sacks, 42 tackles for lost yardage and 133 total tackles. … Had 13 1/2 sacks as a fifth-year senior in 2019 to earn first-team All-America and Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. … Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.79 seconds at the combine.


thedenverpost--2020-04-25--Receiver Tyrie Cleveland selected by Denver Broncos in seventh round of NFL draft

The Broncos ’ draft effort is winding down and they used their second-to-last selection of the weekend ( No .
@ @ @ @ @ ) Saturday on Florida receiver Tyrie Cleveland .
Cleveland joins Jerry Jeudy ( first round @ @ @ @ @ second round ) as new receivers .
Listed at 6 feet , 2 3/8 inches @ @ @ @ @ ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds .
Cleveland , 22 , played four years @ @ @ @ @ 79 catches for 1,271 yards and eight touchdowns in 46 games ( 26 starts ) @ @ @ @ @ than 25 catches or 410 yards in a season .
The Broncos ’ ninth and @ @ @ @ @ .
254. Notable : The third receiver drafted by the Broncos this year caught 79 @ @ @ @ @ eight touchdowns in 46 career games ( 26 starts ) .
… Best year was @ @ @ @ @ only two of 13 games ( 25 catches-351 yards-three touchdowns ) .
… Ran the @ @ @ @ @ in 4.46 seconds .
… Caught a 98-yard touchdown as a true freshman .

The Broncos’ draft effort is winding down and they used their second-to-last selection of the weekend (No. 252 overall in round 7) Saturday on Florida receiver Tyrie Cleveland.
Cleveland joins Jerry Jeudy (first round) and KJ Hamler (second round) as new receivers.
Listed at 6 feet, 2 3/8 inches and 209 pounds, Cleveland ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds.
Cleveland, 22, played four years for the Gators, making 79 catches for 1,271 yards and eight touchdowns in 46 games (26 starts). He never had more than 25 catches or 410 yards in a season.
The Broncos’ ninth and final selection is at No. 254.
Tyrie Cleveland
Round/pick: Seventh/252nd overall
Age: 22
Position: Receiver
Height/weight: 6-2/209
College: Florida
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Notable: The third receiver drafted by the Broncos this year caught 79 passes for 1,271 yards and eight touchdowns in 46 career games (26 starts). … Best year was 2019, although he started only two of 13 games (25 catches-351 yards-three touchdowns). … Ran the 40-yard dash at the combine in 4.46 seconds. … Caught a 98-yard touchdown as a true freshman.


thedenverpost--2020-04-26--Gary Miller: What’s the impact of the coronavirus on M&A for small businesses?

Without a doubt the coronavirus is having a significant impact on M & A transactions .
Hundreds of thousands of business have closed or significantly cut back on their business operations ; millions have been laid off or furloughed ; consumer spending has plummeted ; supply chains have been disrupted ; and oil prices are bouncing around at all-time .
At the very least , many deals are being put on hold , acquisition plans are being cut back , and some buyers are walking away from the closing table .
Buyers are forced to examine their own companies as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , furlough , or lay off workers .
According to Forbes , Xerox walked away from a $ 35 billion bid of HP this month stating “ … it ( Xerox ) needs to focus on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on its business.
” Other examples that Forbes noted was SoftBank terminating its $ 3 billion deal with WeWork and Hexcel and Woodward calling off their “ merger of equals ” as a result of the pandemic .
In addition to the widespread lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders , preventing/limiting face-to-face contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of M & A activity .
For example , due diligence and the manner in which it is conducted is limited because face-to-face interactions are almost always required .
Negotiations are strained when the deal team is working remotely .
Debt financing is questionable in volatile markets .
Securing approvals from regulators and third-party consents are slow .
According to Dealogic , “ The value of M & A activity in the first quarter was significantly lower than the last quarter of 2019 , down 35 % globally and 39 % in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … that most all sell-side engagements are being put on hold until things stabilize ” .
What small businesses should expect going forward if they expect to sell their businesses or raise capital ” • Deals currently in the pipeline and deals entered into during the coronavirus pandemic will move more slowly than during pre-pandemic times .
Everything will take longer including initial discussions , letters of intent , due diligence , and negotiations of the definitive agreement .
• Valuations of businesses , in certain industries , will be driven down significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer apply .
Public stock market valuations since February 2020 are good examples .
Understandings between buyers and sellers about conditions to “ walk away ” from a deal as a result of future value creation will be more frequent .
• Debt financing required by purchasers for funding acquisitions will be harder to find , resulting in delays due to the unstable debt markets and lack of liquidity .
In addition , lenders ’ closing conditions will be more stringent , affecting both buyers and sellers .
• Letters of Intent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( which are nonbinding for the most part ) will either expand to nail down more specific deal terms or address only the price and little else .
Proformas will be examined closely and will be heavily discounted as buyers tiptoe into uncharted waters in the future .
• Exclusivity periods ( preventing sellers from soliciting other offers during the due diligence process ) will be longer than the normal 30-45 days , as buyers will insist that they need more time , 60-75 days , to examine potential pandemic issues .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisions terminating buyer ’ s exclusivities if they see that buyers are unwilling to proceed with the transaction as set forth in the letter of intent .
• Negotiations of the definitive agreement will include provisions focusing on changes in the business operations of the seller ’ s company — referred to as a “ Material Adverse Effect ” ( “ MAE ” ) .
These provisions affect the closing conditions of the transaction .
It permits the buyer to walk away from the deal if the seller has suffered a MAE during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the definitive agreement through the closing date of the transaction .
Sellers should be careful about MAE clauses .
Is there any good news during the current pandemic environment ?
Yes .
Many buyers are cash rich and are hunting for well-run companies at the right price .
Dealmaking going forward will favor buyers vs. sellers as it did during the Great Recession .
Buyers are taking time to search for the best opportunities .
Some industries have benefited from the pandemic while others have suffered significantly .
Industries benefiting from the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping , cloud computing , software , videoconferencing and other technologies .
By contrast , retail , hospitality , travel , hotels , restaurants , automobile , and airlines have been and will be impacted the most dramatically .
Business owners planning to sell their businesses or raise capital should realize that their options have changed significantly .
Whether selling companies or raising capital , owners should take extra care to prepare their businesses for sale .
Keeping key employees is mandatory as buyers will put extra emphasis on the bench strength of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retention plans for your most valuable employees should be created .
Gary Miller is CEO of GEM Strategy Management Inc. , a M & A consulting firm that advises small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the U.S .
Contact him at 303-409-7740 or gmiller @ gemstrategymanagement.com .

Without a doubt the coronavirus is having a significant impact on Mergers & Acquisitions. Hundreds of thousands of business have closed or significantly cut back on their business operations; millions have been laid off or furloughed; consumer spending has plummeted; supply chains have been disrupted; and oil prices are bouncing around at all-time.
At the very least, many deals are being put on hold, acquisition plans are being cut back, and some buyers are walking away from the closing table. Buyers are forced to examine their own companies as they struggle to minimize losses and pay, furlough, or lay off workers. According to Forbes, Xerox walked away from a $35 billion bid of HP this month stating “… it (Xerox) needs to focus on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on its business.” Other examples that Forbes noted was SoftBank terminating its $3 billion deal with WeWork and Hexcel and Woodward calling off their “merger of equals” as a result of the pandemic.
In addition to the widespread lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders, preventing/limiting face-to-face contact, all are contributing to the slowing of M&A activity. For example, due diligence and the manner in which it is conducted is limited because face-to-face interactions are almost always required. Negotiations are strained when the deal team is working remotely. Debt financing is questionable in volatile markets. Securing approvals from regulators and third-party consents are slow.
According to Dealogic, “The value of M&A activity in the first quarter was significantly lower than the last quarter of 2019, down 35% globally and 39% in the U.S.” Investment bankers have concluded “… that most all sell-side engagements are being put on hold until things stabilize”.
What small businesses should expect going forward if they expect to sell their businesses or raise capital”
Deals currently in the pipeline and deals entered into during the coronavirus pandemic will move more slowly than during pre-pandemic times. Everything will take longer including initial discussions, letters of intent, due diligence, and negotiations of the definitive agreement. Valuations of businesses, in certain industries, will be driven down significantly as buyers fear that previous valuations may no longer apply. Public stock market valuations since February 2020 are good examples. Understandings between buyers and sellers about conditions to “walk away” from a deal as a result of future value creation will be more frequent. Debt financing required by purchasers for funding acquisitions will be harder to find, resulting in delays due to the unstable debt markets and lack of liquidity. In addition, lenders’ closing conditions will be more stringent, affecting both buyers and sellers. Letters of Intent, term sheets, memoranda of understanding (which are nonbinding for the most part) will either expand to nail down more specific deal terms or address only the price and little else. Proformas will be examined closely and will be heavily discounted as buyers tiptoe into uncharted waters in the future. Exclusivity periods (preventing sellers from soliciting other offers during the due diligence process) will be longer than the normal 30-45 days, as buyers will insist that they need more time, 60-75 days, to examine potential pandemic issues. On the other hand, sellers should seek provisions terminating buyer’s exclusivities if they see that buyers are unwilling to proceed with the transaction as set forth in the letter of intent. Negotiations of the definitive agreement will include provisions focusing on changes in the business operations of the seller’s company — referred to as a “Material Adverse Effect” (“MAE”). These provisions affect the closing conditions of the transaction. It permits the buyer to walk away from the deal if the seller has suffered a MAE during the period from the signing date of the definitive agreement through the closing date of the transaction. Sellers should be careful about MAE clauses.
Is there any good news during the current pandemic environment?
Yes. Many buyers are cash rich and are hunting for well-run companies at the right price. Dealmaking going forward will favor buyers vs. sellers as it did during the Great Recession. Buyers are taking time to search for the best opportunities. Some industries have benefited from the pandemic while others have suffered significantly. Industries benefiting from the pandemic include biotech, food delivery, online shopping, cloud computing, software, videoconferencing and other technologies.
By contrast, retail, hospitality, travel, hotels, restaurants, automobile, and airlines have been and will be impacted the most dramatically.
Business owners planning to sell their businesses or raise capital should realize that their options have changed significantly. Whether selling companies or raising capital, owners should take extra care to prepare their businesses for sale. Keeping key employees is mandatory as buyers will put extra emphasis on the bench strength of the business. Individual and collective incentive retention plans for your most valuable employees should be created.
Gary Miller is CEO of GEM Strategy Management Inc., a M&A consulting firm that advises small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the U.S. Contact him at 303-409-7740 or gmiller@gemstrategymanagement.com.


thedenverpost--2020-04-26--Nuggets insider: Michael Malone delivers firsthand take of Michael Jordan in “The Last Dance”

The sports world is fixated on the ESPN documentary series “ The Last Dance , ” chronicling the 1990s Bulls dynasty and Michael Jordan with a reported 6.1-million viewers over the first two episodes .
Count Nuggets coach Michael Malone among those glued to his TV .
Although he requires no introduction to MJ ’ s greatness .
“ ( Jordan ) would reach into your chest and pull your heart out if he had to win a game , ” Malone told reporters Tuesday on a Zoom teleconference call .
“ You don ’ t see that very often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he brought it every single night .
That ’ s why he ’ s still , all these many years later , considered the greatest of all time.
” Malone ’ s father , Brendan , was a longtime NBA assistant coach , including with the New York Knicks ( 1986-88 ) — who had an annual Christmas Day tradition of hosting the Bulls .
Michael Malone ’ s real present was being in attendance at Madison Square Garden to witness Jordan ’ s legend in person .
“ We loved going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Malone said .
“ That was exciting as a young kid in high school , watching Michael Jordan dominate and put on a great show ; an entertainer in the world ’ s most famous arena.
” As the 10-part documentary series unfolds on ESPN every Sunday night through May 17 , a predictable debate will be amplified .
Who is the greatest NBA player of all-time : Jordan or LeBron James ?
Malone helped coach James over his first five NBA seasons as a Cleveland Cavaliers assistant .
His take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is obviously up there and probably is the greatest of all time , but it ’ s always a fine line to me , ” Malone said .
“ I coached LeBron James for 5 years and have a great relationship with him .
LeBron did not have the same mindset or killer mentality that Michael Jordan was supposed to have had , but LeBron James is arguably the greatest of all-time as well .
“ You have to be true to yourself and do it your own way.
” Subscribe to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team news sent straight to your inbox .
If you enjoy The Denver Post ’ s sports coverage , we have a new subscription offer for you !
Try the first month for just 99¢ The day the NBA stopped : Inside ESPN ’ s historic broadcast of Nuggets-Mavericks game The lunchtime production meeting for ESPN ’ s Nuggets-Mavericks broadcast March 11 began with a faint hope that that evening ’ s telecast would be normal .
Read more… How the Nuggets paved Arturas Karnisovas ’ path to the Chicago Bulls A few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having spread that Nuggets general manager Arturas Karnisovas would be the next top executive of the Chicago Bulls , Denver ’ s front office gathered in the way that people assemble during a global pandemic .
A Zoom happy hour .
Read more… Lessons from Spain : Nuggets coach Jordi Fernandez fears coronavirus on two continents At least three times a day , Nuggets assistant coach Jordi Fernandez transports to Spain , where his parents , uncles , aunt , cousins , sister , grandma and friends all grapple with their new reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star potential in 2019-20 , but “ decent ” isn ’ t good enough + Jerami Grant ’ s versatility may make him top priority this offseason + Mason Plumlee ’ s consistent professionalism a luxury Denver may not be able to afford + Nuggets Mailbag : What sort of player will Tim Connelly target in NBA draft ?
+ Coach Michael Malone on Nuggets ’ training challenge in pandemic : “ You have to get creative ” + “ Synergy is my Netflix right now ” : Nuggets president Tim Connelly diving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA ’ s return – and postseason – hinges on these four factors + Nuggets rewind : From embarrassing to stunning , the 8 moments that defined Denver ’ s season + Nuggets Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Singer here .
Nuggets Journal : Five prospects Denver might target in upcoming NBA draft When it comes to the NBA draft , originally scheduled for June 25 , the Nuggets are operating under the same veil of uncertainty as the rest of the league .
Read more… Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rookie season : “ He still has a chance to be a great player ” The highly-anticipated rookie season of Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. might be over .
Ask coach Michael Malone for an honest assessment of Porter ’ s performance and the response is mixed .
Read more… If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at mschubert @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ MattDSchubert .

The sports world is fixated on the ESPN documentary series “The Last Dance,” chronicling the 1990s Bulls dynasty and Michael Jordan with a reported 6.1-million viewers over the first two episodes.
Count Nuggets coach Michael Malone among those glued to his TV. Although he requires no introduction to MJ’s greatness.
“(Jordan) would reach into your chest and pull your heart out if he had to win a game,” Malone told reporters Tuesday on a Zoom teleconference call. “You don’t see that very often. He had that true killer mindset and he brought it every single night. That’s why he’s still, all these many years later, considered the greatest of all time.”
Malone’s father, Brendan, was a longtime NBA assistant coach, including with the New York Knicks (1986-88) — who had an annual Christmas Day tradition of hosting the Bulls. Michael Malone’s real present was being in attendance at Madison Square Garden to witness Jordan’s legend in person.
“We loved going to those games on Christmas Day,” Malone said. “That was exciting as a young kid in high school, watching Michael Jordan dominate and put on a great show; an entertainer in the world’s most famous arena.”
As the 10-part documentary series unfolds on ESPN every Sunday night through May 17, a predictable debate will be amplified. Who is the greatest NBA player of all-time: Jordan or LeBron James?
Malone helped coach James over his first five NBA seasons as a Cleveland Cavaliers assistant.
His take on the true NBA GOAT?
“Michael is obviously up there and probably is the greatest of all time, but it’s always a fine line to me,” Malone said. “I coached LeBron James for 5 years and have a great relationship with him. LeBron did not have the same mindset or killer mentality that Michael Jordan was supposed to have had, but LeBron James is arguably the greatest of all-time as well.
“You have to be true to yourself and do it your own way.”
Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post
Subscribe to our Nuggets Insider newsletter to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox.
If you enjoy The Denver Post’s sports coverage, we have a new subscription offer for you! Try the first month for just 99¢
Must-Read
The lunchtime production meeting for ESPN’s Nuggets-Mavericks broadcast March 11 began with a faint hope that that evening’s telecast would be normal. Read more…
A few weeks back, with the news already having spread that Nuggets general manager Arturas Karnisovas would be the next top executive of the Chicago Bulls, Denver’s front office gathered in the way that people assemble during a global pandemic. A Zoom happy hour. Read more…
At least three times a day, Nuggets assistant coach Jordi Fernandez transports to Spain, where his parents, uncles, aunt, cousins, sister, grandma and friends all grapple with their new reality. Read more…
Nuggets exit interviews
+ Jamal Murray flashed star potential in 2019-20, but “decent” isn’t good enough
+ Gary Harris’ season a disappointment despite all-NBA level defense
+ Healthy Will Barton enjoyed redemption season
+ Injuries aside, veteran Paul Millsap makes strong case in contract year
+ Nikola Jokic’s second All-Star season erased questions over slow start
+ Michael Porter Jr.’s uneven rookie season signals big things to come
+ Jerami Grant’s versatility may make him top priority this offseason
+ Monte Morris’ steady hand indispensable component of Denver’s success
+ Torrey Craig’s irritating defensive presence valuable chess piece for Denver
+ Mason Plumlee’s consistent professionalism a luxury Denver may not be able to afford
Quick hits
+ Nuggets Mailbag: What sort of player will Tim Connelly target in NBA draft?
+ NBA Journal: Why I can’t wait to watch Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance”
+ Coach Michael Malone on Nuggets’ training challenge in pandemic: “You have to get creative”
+ “Synergy is my Netflix right now”: Nuggets president Tim Connelly diving into draft preparation
+ Nuggets Journal: NBA’s return – and postseason – hinges on these four factors
+ Nuggets rewind: From embarrassing to stunning, the 8 moments that defined Denver’s season
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
By The Numbers
5
When it comes to the NBA draft, originally scheduled for June 25, the Nuggets are operating under the same veil of uncertainty as the rest of the league. Read more…
Parting Shot
The highly-anticipated rookie season of Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. might be over. Ask coach Michael Malone for an honest assessment of Porter’s performance and the response is mixed. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at mschubert@denverpost.com or tweet me @MattDSchubert.


thedenverpost--2020-04-26--Coronavirus fears causing patients to delay care for other ailments, hospitals report

The mood switched quickly in the Medical Center of Aurora ’ s emergency room .
One moment Dr. Frank Lansville , medical director of the emergency room , was exchanging pleasantries with a few colleagues in a hallway with a cheery “ Hello , wonderful people.
” The next , a “ code blue ” call sounded over the intercom and the staff shifted into high gear .
“ They ’ re all gowning up with eye protection , masks and gloves , not only to protect themselves but also the patients , ” Lansville said Wednesday .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus ) and we ’ re trying to be very thoughtful about the process.
” Paramedics wheeled in a woman on a gurney while performing chest compressions .
With her face covered and nearby staff protected , they whisked her into own room , well separated from any other patients and staff .
Such is the new reality of emergency room life during a global pandemic , Lansville said .
But those new procedures are effective and able to keep emergency room patients and staff safe .
Still , the hospital is tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for non-coronavirus-related ailments , likely due to fear of contracting the virus in the hospital , Lansville said .
Those fears are not only unfounded but they can lead to serious complications down the road .
“ When things are at their worst , we ’ re at our best , ” Lansville said .
“ This has been an unexpected world pandemic , but that being said , we ’ re still here , we ’ re still functioning at a very high level and we want people to feel comfortable no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for.
” In particular , patients suffering heart attacks , strokes , appendicitis , abdominal pain , complications from diabetes and more are avoiding the hospital , Lansville said he ’ s noticed .
In a given day , the hospital sees between five and 10 patients suffering from those types of ailments .
“ That ’ s probably been cut in half , ” he said .
Similar decreases have been reported across the country .
Patients able to bring themselves to the emergency room will be given a mask and seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to sit for extended periods of time near other patients , Lansville said .
“ If they ’ re concerned , we ’ re concerned , and they should be seen , ” he said .
“ There ’ s nothing that replaces being seen by a board-certified physician and they should feel comfortable coming here.
” The decrease of patients is likely due to a swing of the emotional pendulum in the metropolitan area , Lansville and Stephanie Sullivan , spokeswoman for HealthONE , agreed .
When the pandemic first hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from sniffles or colds , thinking they caught the virus , they said .
But now , patients have gone out of their way to avoid the hospitals .
Hospitals around the state , among other essential organizations , do still face a shortage of equipment .
But the Medical Center of Aurora is one of eight HealthONE health centers in the metropolitan area and part of an even larger network in the country , which gives it advantages in finding protective equipment , Sullivan said .
“ We have a deep supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the beginning , ” Sullivan said .
“ We ’ re ready , ” she said .
“ This is what we ’ ve trained to do.
” Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

The mood switched quickly in the Medical Center of Aurora’s emergency room.
One moment Dr. Frank Lansville, medical director of the emergency room, was exchanging pleasantries with a few colleagues in a hallway with a cheery “Hello, wonderful people.”
The next, a “code blue” call sounded over the intercom and the staff shifted into high gear.
“They’re all gowning up with eye protection, masks and gloves, not only to protect themselves but also the patients,” Lansville said Wednesday. “We’re assuming everyone has (the virus) and we’re trying to be very thoughtful about the process.”
Paramedics wheeled in a woman on a gurney while performing chest compressions. With her face covered and nearby staff protected, they whisked her into own room, well separated from any other patients and staff.
Such is the new reality of emergency room life during a global pandemic, Lansville said. But those new procedures are effective and able to keep emergency room patients and staff safe.
Still, the hospital is tracking a sharp decrease in patients seeking care for non-coronavirus-related ailments, likely due to fear of contracting the virus in the hospital, Lansville said. Those fears are not only unfounded but they can lead to serious complications down the road.
“When things are at their worst, we’re at our best,” Lansville said. “This has been an unexpected world pandemic, but that being said, we’re still here, we’re still functioning at a very high level and we want people to feel comfortable no matter what they’re being seen for.”
In particular, patients suffering heart attacks, strokes, appendicitis, abdominal pain, complications from diabetes and more are avoiding the hospital, Lansville said he’s noticed.
In a given day, the hospital sees between five and 10 patients suffering from those types of ailments. “That’s probably been cut in half,” he said.
Similar decreases have been reported across the country.
Patients able to bring themselves to the emergency room will be given a mask and seen almost immediately. They won’t have to sit for extended periods of time near other patients, Lansville said.
“If they’re concerned, we’re concerned, and they should be seen,” he said. “There’s nothing that replaces being seen by a board-certified physician and they should feel comfortable coming here.”
The decrease of patients is likely due to a swing of the emotional pendulum in the metropolitan area, Lansville and Stephanie Sullivan, spokeswoman for HealthONE, agreed.
When the pandemic first hit, the hospitals flooded with people suffering from sniffles or colds, thinking they caught the virus, they said. But now, patients have gone out of their way to avoid the hospitals.
Hospitals around the state, among other essential organizations, do still face a shortage of equipment.
But the Medical Center of Aurora is one of eight HealthONE health centers in the metropolitan area and part of an even larger network in the country, which gives it advantages in finding protective equipment, Sullivan said.
“We have a deep supply chain that was able to manage this from the beginning,” Sullivan said.
“We’re ready,” she said. “This is what we’ve trained to do.”
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-04-26--Post Premium: Our best stories for the week of April 20-26

When the coronavirus pandemic hit , a coalition of Colorado journalists already had been discussing ways to better serve the public by collaborating and sharing stories .
Sunday ’ s 1A story ( also featured prominently on our website ) is an early result of that effort .
On April 16 , reporters from 22 news outlets set out to record what a day was like for Coloradans in the midst of the coronavirus .
Stories came in from around the state , stories of hope , kindness , resilience , and yes , fear .
I described in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties of reporting and photographing stories while respecting the needs to be distant from others .
That was a challenge for this effort , too .
In many cases , we asked the people who agreed to share their days with us to record a video diary that we could use .
In other cases , we were able to be there in person .
The project was the brainchild of Eric Gorski , a former Denver Post reporter who is now a managing editor for Chalkbeat , an online news organization focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daunting task of writing the story , picking through dozens of submissions to create a narrative about a day in this state .
Organization of the project fell to Laura Frank , a former Rocky Mountain News reporter who went on to become a national leader in online investigative news and , until recently , was vice president of journalism at Rocky Mountain PBS .
She is leading the project for the Colorado News Collaborative , or COLab , a nonprofit aimed at supporting and strengthening the state ’ s news ecosystem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are just a tiny , representative sliver of what is going on in Colorado today .
Everyone has a story to tell about how they ’ ve struggled and adapted over the last few weeks and History Colorado wants to capture yours for their archives .
You can learn more about how to submit a written , verbal or video diary here : Learn more and share your story .
Journalists from multiple news organizations collaborated to describe life on April 16 .
Read more… Five in-depth looks at Colorado in the age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” about “ safer at home , ” despite concerns over rollout When some of Colorado ’ s Democratic lawmakers found out about Gov .
Jared Polis ’ s decision not to extend the state ’ s coronavirus stay-at-home order and instead allow certain types of businesses to soon begin reopening , they were frustrated .
“ The biggest concern was we didn ’ t know what it meant , ” Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg said .
“ I think the governor ’ s office would be the first to say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fenberg , a Boulder Democrat , said the governor was “ probably desperate ” for positive news , as everyone is , when he announced the shift to “ safer at home ” at a news conference Monday .
The announcement came a day after a protest of the governor ’ s stay-at-home order at the state Capitol , which may have contributed to the confusion , Fenberg said .
Read more… RELATED : Colorado ’ s new safer-at-home phase is not a grand reopening , Gov .
Jared Polis says Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other ailments , hospitals report The mood switched quickly in the Medical Center of Aurora ’ s emergency room .
One moment Dr. Frank Lansville , medical director of the emergency room , was exchanging pleasantries with a few colleagues in a hallway with a cheery “ Hello , wonderful people.
” The next , a “ code blue ” call sounded over the intercom and the staff shifted into high gear .
Read more… RELATED : PHOTOS : Inside the ER at Medical Center of Aurora during the coronavirus pandemic Colorado health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s coronavirus fatality numbers , decreasing by two the number of people who have died from complications of the COVID-19 respiratory disease .
On Friday , the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported a statewide total of 674 deaths as it tallied older cases that had not yet been added to the state database .
But that number dropped to 672 on Saturday , with health officials saying that when they entered old data into the system , there were 29 duplicates , which now have been removed .
Read more… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado counties differ on whether to accept shift to “ safer at home ” Joe Oltmann , of Castle Pines , is the 45-year-old CEO of a data company .
He ’ s also a leader and financier in the nascent but growing movement of Coloradans demanding an end to stay-at-home orders .
“ I recognize there is a risk and I recognize people could get sick , ” Oltmann says of reopening the state ’ s economy .
“ Those are all things I recognize .
But I also recognize that hunger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people.
” “ If I choose the wrong way and it ends up killing me , I ’ m sorry , but I made a choice .
I took all the information that I did know and I made an educated choice affecting me , while at the same time respecting that other people deserve the right to feel safe , ” he said in an interview over Zoom on Wednesday .
Impatient frustration at the state ’ s stay-at-home-order , which boiled over last weekend at a Capitol protest , simmered under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But even beyond that protest , criticizing the government ’ s shutdown is becoming conventional wisdom among leading Colorado Republicans , and a rallying cry in a Democratic-led state .
Read more… Anyone wanting to buy or sell a home in metro Denver this year needs to buckle up and prepare for a wild ride in the months ahead .
“ Our forecast suggests the housing market recovery will look like a “ flying W , ” with an initial sharp drop this spring , a noticeable rebound in the summer followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a final solid road to recovery by spring 2021 , ” predicts Ralph McLaughlin , chief economist with Haus , a startup that co-invests in homes with individuals .
Read more… RELATED : Tenants mostly catch up on April rent , but May payments are just around the corner A few more important stories from the past week + As coronavirus precautions shift from government order to individual choice , how will Coloradans live ?
+ Climate warming may hit Colorado River Basin farmers hardest as shrinking snowpack leads to less irrigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during coronavirus , but some offenses are on the rise + Residents of nursing homes , assisted living facilities now account for 64 % of Colorado ’ s coronavirus deaths + “ It ’ s the virus ’ s world ” : The balancing act of reopening Colorado without widespread testing + Construction speeds up on I-70 and I-25 , but other Colorado projects may be doomed by coronavirus + FAQ about new “ safer at home ” phase of Colorado ’ s coronavirus response that begins tomorrow + EPA officials defend their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Expect continued improvements ” in Colorado + Reopening restaurants next month is too risky , owners say + Adams , Arapahoe , Boulder and Jefferson counties join Denver in extending stay-at-home orders to May 8 See more great photos like this on The Denver Post ’ s Instagram account .
RELATED : See more photos from Evelyn Berkey ’ s 100th birthday party

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, a coalition of Colorado journalists already had been discussing ways to better serve the public by collaborating and sharing stories. Sunday’s 1A story (also featured prominently on our website) is an early result of that effort.
On April 16, reporters from 22 news outlets set out to record what a day was like for Coloradans in the midst of the coronavirus. Stories came in from around the state, stories of hope, kindness, resilience, and yes, fear. I described in my recent newsletter to all of you the difficulties of reporting and photographing stories while respecting the needs to be distant from others. That was a challenge for this effort, too.
In many cases, we asked the people who agreed to share their days with us to record a video diary that we could use. In other cases, we were able to be there in person.
The project was the brainchild of Eric Gorski, a former Denver Post reporter who is now a managing editor for Chalkbeat, an online news organization focused on education. Eric also took on the daunting task of writing the story, picking through dozens of submissions to create a narrative about a day in this state.
Organization of the project fell to Laura Frank, a former Rocky Mountain News reporter who went on to become a national leader in online investigative news and, until recently, was vice president of journalism at Rocky Mountain PBS. She is leading the project for the Colorado News Collaborative, or COLab, a nonprofit aimed at supporting and strengthening the state’s news ecosystem.
The stories included in this project are just a tiny, representative sliver of what is going on in Colorado today. Everyone has a story to tell about how they’ve struggled and adapted over the last few weeks and History Colorado wants to capture yours for their archives.
You can learn more about how to submit a written, verbal or video diary here: Learn more and share your story.
— Lee Ann Colacioppo, Editor of The Denver Post
Journalists from multiple news organizations collaborated to describe life on April 16. Read more…
Five in-depth looks at Colorado in the age of coronavirus
When some of Colorado’s Democratic lawmakers found out about Gov. Jared Polis’s decision not to extend the state’s coronavirus stay-at-home order and instead allow certain types of businesses to soon begin reopening, they were frustrated.
“The biggest concern was we didn’t know what it meant,” Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg said. “I think the governor’s office would be the first to say the governor struck a confusing tone on Monday.”
Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat, said the governor was “probably desperate” for positive news, as everyone is, when he announced the shift to “safer at home” at a news conference Monday. The announcement came a day after a protest of the governor’s stay-at-home order at the state Capitol, which may have contributed to the confusion, Fenberg said. Read more…
RELATED: Colorado’s new safer-at-home phase is not a grand reopening, Gov. Jared Polis says
The mood switched quickly in the Medical Center of Aurora’s emergency room.
One moment Dr. Frank Lansville, medical director of the emergency room, was exchanging pleasantries with a few colleagues in a hallway with a cheery “Hello, wonderful people.”
The next, a “code blue” call sounded over the intercom and the staff shifted into high gear. Read more…
RELATED: PHOTOS: Inside the ER at Medical Center of Aurora during the coronavirus pandemic
Colorado health officials on Saturday revised the state’s coronavirus fatality numbers, decreasing by two the number of people who have died from complications of the COVID-19 respiratory disease.
On Friday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported a statewide total of 674 deaths as it tallied older cases that had not yet been added to the state database.
But that number dropped to 672 on Saturday, with health officials saying that when they entered old data into the system, there were 29 duplicates, which now have been removed. Read more…
RELATED: From caution to defiance, Colorado counties differ on whether to accept shift to “safer at home”
Joe Oltmann, of Castle Pines, is the 45-year-old CEO of a data company. He’s also a leader and financier in the nascent but growing movement of Coloradans demanding an end to stay-at-home orders.
“I recognize there is a risk and I recognize people could get sick,” Oltmann says of reopening the state’s economy. “Those are all things I recognize. But I also recognize that hunger can kill people. Despair can kill people.”
“If I choose the wrong way and it ends up killing me, I’m sorry, but I made a choice. I took all the information that I did know and I made an educated choice affecting me, while at the same time respecting that other people deserve the right to feel safe,” he said in an interview over Zoom on Wednesday.
Impatient frustration at the state’s stay-at-home-order, which boiled over last weekend at a Capitol protest, simmered under the surface for much of April. But even beyond that protest, criticizing the government’s shutdown is becoming conventional wisdom among leading Colorado Republicans, and a rallying cry in a Democratic-led state. Read more…
RELATED: FAQ about Colorado’s stay-at-home order
Anyone wanting to buy or sell a home in metro Denver this year needs to buckle up and prepare for a wild ride in the months ahead.
“Our forecast suggests the housing market recovery will look like a “flying W,” with an initial sharp drop this spring, a noticeable rebound in the summer followed by another dip in the fall, and on a final solid road to recovery by spring 2021,” predicts Ralph McLaughlin, chief economist with Haus, a startup that co-invests in homes with individuals. Read more…
RELATED: Tenants mostly catch up on April rent, but May payments are just around the corner
A few more important stories from the past week
+ As coronavirus precautions shift from government order to individual choice, how will Coloradans live?
+ Climate warming may hit Colorado River Basin farmers hardest as shrinking snowpack leads to less irrigation water
+ Crime dips dramatically in Denver during coronavirus, but some offenses are on the rise
+ Residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities now account for 64% of Colorado’s coronavirus deaths
+ “It’s the virus’s world”: The balancing act of reopening Colorado without widespread testing
+ Construction speeds up on I-70 and I-25, but other Colorado projects may be doomed by coronavirus
+ FAQ about new “safer at home” phase of Colorado’s coronavirus response that begins tomorrow
+ EPA officials defend their role amid rollbacks as agency hits 50: “Expect continued improvements” in Colorado
+ Reopening restaurants next month is too risky, owners say
+ Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder and Jefferson counties join Denver in extending stay-at-home orders to May 8
Photo of the Week
See more great photos like this on The Denver Post’s Instagram account.
RELATED: See more photos from Evelyn Berkey’s 100th birthday party


thedenverpost--2020-04-26--Colorado sports betting set to launch May 1 with most teams sidelined and state’s casinos closed

When legal sports betting comes to Colorado on May 1 , the landscape will look vastly different than fans and regulators anticipated .
The 146th Kentucky Derby , originally slated for the same weekend , would have been one of the first events available for wagering .
Major League Baseball was supposed to be in full swing .
And both National Basketball Association and National Hockey League playoffs would have been heating up .
Instead , the coronavirus pandemic sidelined most major events indefinitely .
Though no one is certain when sports will return — or how they might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t waiting .
Regulators are moving ahead as planned , meaning fans will soon be able to wager on whatever limited offerings are available .
And because casinos are not permitted to open by then under Gov .
Jared Polis ’ “ safer at home ” rules , the industry will debut entirely online with more than a dozen mobile and web-based apps .
“ Even though it will be a slow time for sports , we are still planning on May 1 , ” said Dan Hartman , director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re really hoping to get through this and see the resurgence of the industry.
” Colorado sports betting is poised to generate $ 6 billion in annual wagers and an estimated $ 400 million in revenue once the industry matures , according to Dustin Gouker , chief analyst for PlayColorado.com .
Factor in a 10 % tax on sports betting revenue and the state could bring in $ 40 million each year to benefit initiatives like the Colorado Water Plan .
That ’ s if Colorado tracks with trends in similarly established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which mature after four or five years , Gouker said .
Coronavirus will slow that trajectory , but he believes the state will blossom into a success story for legal sports gambling because of the business-friendly tax rate and other regulations that make the industry ripe for competition .
According to state statute , sportsbook operators must partner with one of Colorado ’ s 35 local casinos to enter the market .
“ That allows for just about the most open market we ’ ve seen in the United States , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a major player in the U.S. sports betting markets will be in Colorado .
That means a ton of competition and that really should be good for consumers.
” Fans will have their pick of 17 digital sportsbooks currently licensed to operate in the state , including FanDuel , DraftKings and BetRivers , though few plan to go live on May 1 .
For several providers , Colorado is the only place they ’ ll be available outside of their home market .
The iconic SuperBook and NFL SuperContest , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time with an “ as close as you can get to Vegas ” retail sportsbook at the Lodge Casino in Black Hawk , said Jay Kornegay , executive vice president of race and sports operations .
The mobile app will launch closer to football season , he added .
London-based betting app SBK will make its stateside debut in Colorado in late-May , thanks to a partnership with Full House Resorts , which owns Bronco Billy ’ s Casino in Cripple Creek and four others throughout the U.S. “ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Jason Trost , founder and CEO of parent company Smarkets .
“ The regulation is very friendly.
” Digital provider Circa Sports was also enticed by the favorable business laws , such as remote signup .
In its home state of Nevada , fans are required to visit a casino in-person to open a mobile betting account .
That ’ s not so in the Centennial State , the company ’ s first expansion market since coming online in June 2019 .
“ In Colorado , you can sit on your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account and fund your account all within 10 minutes and then start betting , ” said Mike Van Ermen , strategic operations manager .
May , June and July are typically the slowest months for sports betting , even in a world unravaged by the coronavirus , said many operators .
Launching in the spring , however , enables sportsbooks to acquire new customers and work out any kinks before football season , the undisputed high roller of sports betting .
Opening May 1 isn ’ t an option for physical sportsbooks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Hawk , Central City or Cripple Creek .
Polis closed casinos in mid-March to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and they are not permitted to reopen under the statewide “ safer at home ” order that takes effect on Monday , said Shelby Wieman , spokeswoman for the governor ’ s office .
That leaves at least 10 retail operators in limbo without a definitive opening date .
But some , like Saratoga Casino in Black Hawk , are still preparing .
Marcus Rohrbaugh , director of gaming operations , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area of the gaming floor into an experiential sportsbook with TVs displaying games and betting odds , and digital kiosks where gamblers can place bets .
It ’ s slow going — he is working virtually with UK-based partner Betfred to design and build out the space — but Rohrbaugh expects it will be ready by the end of May if casinos are allowed to open .
Monarch Casino in Black Hawk also plans to open a retail sportsbook as part of a $ 440 million renovation and launch a proprietary app , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At its sister casino in Reno , Nevada , , sports betting accounts for 1 % to 2 % of gaming revenue under normal circumstances , said David Farahi , chief operating officer .
Until major league sports come back online , he doesn ’ t expect betting will gain much traction .
Launching the sports betting industry entirely online isn ’ t inconceivable .
In New Jersey and Pennsylvania , online betting accounts for more than 80 % of all wagers , said Gouker .
That ’ s only expected to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operators in the U.S. , is bringing both retail and digital sportsbooks to Colorado .
Though the bulk of the company ’ s revenue comes from its online product , which will be available May 1 , its retail location inside Black Hawk ’ s Golden Mardi Gras Casino will help DraftKings reach a different demographic .
“ Certain consumers prefer to bet in cash .
They like to go to a physical location and hold a ticket that represents their bet , ” said Matt Kalish , DraftKings co-founder and president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the traditional model you ’ ll see in Las Vegas or some of the older markets that offer sport betting .
There ’ s still a pretty big audience that prefers to bet that way.
” Still , the COVID-19 crisis is likely to accelerate growth in mobile gambling , Kalish added .
Mike Raffensperger , chief marketing officer of FanDuel Group , which operates the hugely popular FanDuel app , agrees .
The more comfortable Coloradans become entertaining themselves at home , the more he expects they will build lasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll see an adoption of people who maybe historically have gone to racetracks , casinos , physical sportsbooks , ” Raffensperger said .
“ I expect some of that to retain even after we overcome this moment of difficulty in the country and the world gets back to normal.
” On your mark , get set , bet The Denver Post has confirmed four digital sportsbooks — DraftKings , FanDuel , BetMGM and BetRivers — will be available to Colorado residents starting May 1 .
Others , including PointsBet , SBK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go live shortly thereafter .
The coronavirus pandemic forced operators and leagues to get creative with their offerings to fill the void of major sports .
NASCAR , for example , recently began hosting virtual races , where professional drivers do laps around a video game track .
The contest was an unexpected hit for DraftKings , which received “ tens of thousands of entrants ” in one of its pools , Kalish said .
Other unusual offerings like the NBA ’ s HORSE tournament , lesser-known soccer leagues , and sumo wrestling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have free-to-play games that let gamblers wager on the weather , politics and television shows .
The NFL draft also proved to be one of the hottest events of the year , said Patrick Eichner , director of communications at PointsBet .
“ Overall handle ( was ) almost three times larger than last year , making it on par with the betting of a typical Monday Night Football or Thursday Night Football matchup , ” he said .
Uncertainty still looms over the future of sports betting , even as fans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , basketball and hockey , and the kickoff to football season .
The coronavirus all but guaranteed these sports are not likely to happen under normal circumstances .
Still , most operators don ’ t believe the current situation will hinder the sports betting industry long-term .
“ If there ’ s a scenario where baseball , NBA playoffs , NHL playoffs , football season are all starting around the same time , that ’ s like a golden era of being a sports fan and being a sports bettor , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen in the snap of a finger… and you see things take off really , really quickly .
”

When legal sports betting comes to Colorado on May 1, the landscape will look vastly different than fans and regulators anticipated.
The 146th Kentucky Derby, originally slated for the same weekend, would have been one of the first events available for wagering. Major League Baseball was supposed to be in full swing. And both National Basketball Association and National Hockey League playoffs would have been heating up.
Instead, the coronavirus pandemic sidelined most major events indefinitely. Though no one is certain when sports will return — or how they might be different — the Colorado Division of Gaming isn’t waiting.
Regulators are moving ahead as planned, meaning fans will soon be able to wager on whatever limited offerings are available. And because casinos are not permitted to open by then under Gov. Jared Polis’ “safer at home” rules, the industry will debut entirely online with more than a dozen mobile and web-based apps.
“Even though it will be a slow time for sports, we are still planning on May 1,” said Dan Hartman, director of the Division of Gaming. “We’re really hoping to get through this and see the resurgence of the industry.”
Colorado’s competitive edge
Colorado sports betting is poised to generate $6 billion in annual wagers and an estimated $400 million in revenue once the industry matures, according to Dustin Gouker, chief analyst for PlayColorado.com. Factor in a 10% tax on sports betting revenue and the state could bring in $40 million each year to benefit initiatives like the Colorado Water Plan.
That’s if Colorado tracks with trends in similarly established markets in Europe and the United States, which mature after four or five years, Gouker said. Coronavirus will slow that trajectory, but he believes the state will blossom into a success story for legal sports gambling because of the business-friendly tax rate and other regulations that make the industry ripe for competition.
According to state statute, sportsbook operators must partner with one of Colorado’s 35 local casinos to enter the market.
“That allows for just about the most open market we’ve seen in the United States,” Gouker said. “Anybody who wants to be a major player in the U.S. sports betting markets will be in Colorado. That means a ton of competition and that really should be good for consumers.”
Fans will have their pick of 17 digital sportsbooks currently licensed to operate in the state, including FanDuel, DraftKings and BetRivers, though few plan to go live on May 1.
For several providers, Colorado is the only place they’ll be available outside of their home market. The iconic SuperBook and NFL SuperContest, for example, are expanding beyond Nevada for the first time with an “as close as you can get to Vegas” retail sportsbook at the Lodge Casino in Black Hawk, said Jay Kornegay, executive vice president of race and sports operations. The mobile app will launch closer to football season, he added.
London-based betting app SBK will make its stateside debut in Colorado in late-May, thanks to a partnership with Full House Resorts, which owns Bronco Billy’s Casino in Cripple Creek and four others throughout the U.S.
“It’s a nice, medium-sized state,” said Jason Trost, founder and CEO of parent company Smarkets. “The regulation is very friendly.”
Digital provider Circa Sports was also enticed by the favorable business laws, such as remote signup. In its home state of Nevada, fans are required to visit a casino in-person to open a mobile betting account. That’s not so in the Centennial State, the company’s first expansion market since coming online in June 2019.
“In Colorado, you can sit on your couch, you can register for an account and fund your account all within 10 minutes and then start betting,” said Mike Van Ermen, strategic operations manager.
A softer than expected launch
May, June and July are typically the slowest months for sports betting, even in a world unravaged by the coronavirus, said many operators. Launching in the spring, however, enables sportsbooks to acquire new customers and work out any kinks before football season, the undisputed high roller of sports betting.
Opening May 1 isn’t an option for physical sportsbooks, which must be located inside casinos in Black Hawk, Central City or Cripple Creek. Polis closed casinos in mid-March to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and they are not permitted to reopen under the statewide “safer at home” order that takes effect on Monday, said Shelby Wieman, spokeswoman for the governor’s office.
That leaves at least 10 retail operators in limbo without a definitive opening date. But some, like Saratoga Casino in Black Hawk, are still preparing.
Marcus Rohrbaugh, director of gaming operations, said construction is underway to convert an elevated area of the gaming floor into an experiential sportsbook with TVs displaying games and betting odds, and digital kiosks where gamblers can place bets. It’s slow going — he is working virtually with UK-based partner Betfred to design and build out the space — but Rohrbaugh expects it will be ready by the end of May if casinos are allowed to open.
Monarch Casino in Black Hawk also plans to open a retail sportsbook as part of a $440 million renovation and launch a proprietary app, but neither will likely happen immediately. At its sister casino in Reno, Nevada,, sports betting accounts for 1% to 2% of gaming revenue under normal circumstances, said David Farahi, chief operating officer. Until major league sports come back online, he doesn’t expect betting will gain much traction.
Launching the sports betting industry entirely online isn’t inconceivable. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, online betting accounts for more than 80% of all wagers, said Gouker. That’s only expected to increase.
DraftKings, one of the biggest operators in the U.S., is bringing both retail and digital sportsbooks to Colorado. Though the bulk of the company’s revenue comes from its online product, which will be available May 1, its retail location inside Black Hawk’s Golden Mardi Gras Casino will help DraftKings reach a different demographic.
“Certain consumers prefer to bet in cash. They like to go to a physical location and hold a ticket that represents their bet,” said Matt Kalish, DraftKings co-founder and president of the North American branch. “That’s the traditional model you’ll see in Las Vegas or some of the older markets that offer sport betting. There’s still a pretty big audience that prefers to bet that way.”
Still, the COVID-19 crisis is likely to accelerate growth in mobile gambling, Kalish added. Mike Raffensperger, chief marketing officer of FanDuel Group, which operates the hugely popular FanDuel app, agrees. The more comfortable Coloradans become entertaining themselves at home, the more he expects they will build lasting habits with online platforms.
“You’ll see an adoption of people who maybe historically have gone to racetracks, casinos, physical sportsbooks,” Raffensperger said. “I expect some of that to retain even after we overcome this moment of difficulty in the country and the world gets back to normal.”
On your mark, get set, bet
The Denver Post has confirmed four digital sportsbooks — DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and BetRivers — will be available to Colorado residents starting May 1. Others, including PointsBet, SBK, FOX Bet and BetWildwood, expect to go live shortly thereafter.
The coronavirus pandemic forced operators and leagues to get creative with their offerings to fill the void of major sports. NASCAR, for example, recently began hosting virtual races, where professional drivers do laps around a video game track. The contest was an unexpected hit for DraftKings, which received “tens of thousands of entrants” in one of its pools, Kalish said.
Other unusual offerings like the NBA’s HORSE tournament, lesser-known soccer leagues, and sumo wrestling have drawn interest from bettors, as have free-to-play games that let gamblers wager on the weather, politics and television shows. The NFL draft also proved to be one of the hottest events of the year, said Patrick Eichner, director of communications at PointsBet.
“Overall handle (was) almost three times larger than last year, making it on par with the betting of a typical Monday Night Football or Thursday Night Football matchup,” he said.
Uncertainty still looms over the future of sports betting, even as fans and operators eagerly await the return of baseball, basketball and hockey, and the kickoff to football season. The coronavirus all but guaranteed these sports are not likely to happen under normal circumstances.
Still, most operators don’t believe the current situation will hinder the sports betting industry long-term.
“If there’s a scenario where baseball, NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs, football season are all starting around the same time, that’s like a golden era of being a sports fan and being a sports bettor,” said Gouker at PlayColorado.com. “It could happen in the snap of a finger… and you see things take off really, really quickly.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-26--Tale of the tape: Analyzing the performance of the Rockies’ three general managers

The task : draw up a blueprint , construct a major league team and maintain a consistent winner .
The challenge : Figure out how to accomplish that at a mile above sea level , where baseballs fly , ERAs soar and legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully once opined , “ You don ’ t need an official scorer at Coors Field , you need a certified public accountant.
” The architects through the franchise ’ s first 27 years : General managers Bob Gebhard , Dan O ’ Dowd and Jeff Bridich .
All three men tasted morsels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no “ normal ” to be found at Coors Field , which led each GM to construct a different type of team .
Gebhard ’ s entertaining “ Blake Street Bombers ” produced a historically quick trip to the playoffs but not sustained success .
“ Dealin ’ Dan ” spent big and traded frequently to limited success , only to eventually steer the Rockies to their only World Series with a team filled with homegrown talent .
Bridich , the current GM , built a team that made the playoffs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of pitcher could actually tame the Coors Field beast .
How do they stack up ?
Following is an analysis of each of the Rockies ’ GMs : Playoff history : In 1995 , Rockies qualified as the National League wild-card team in just the third season in franchise history .
Lost to Atlanta in four games in the NLDS .
Best moves : Building the Rockies from scratch , Gebhard hired Don Baylor as the Rockies ’ first manager .
Strong-willed and well-respected , Baylor was the perfect pick for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first spring training in 1993 .
Out of a combination of moves from the expansion draft , sly trades and low-budget signings , “ Geb ” constructed a first-year team that included Dante Bichette , Andres Galarraga , Vinny Castilla , Eric Young , Joe Girardi , starters Kevin Ritz and Armando Reynoso , and reliever Darren Holmes .
Prior to the 1994 season , the Rockies signed free agent shortstop Walt Weiss and outfielder Ellis Burks .
In April 1995 , Gebhard signed future Hall of Fame outfielder Larry Walker to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solidified the Rockies as a contender .
Walker played 10 seasons in Colorado and stands as the greatest free-agent signing in franchise history .
In June 1995 , Gebhard selected first baseman Todd Helton in the first round of the draft , one of the most prescient moves in franchise history .
Worst moves : Gebhard was impatient to upgrade Colorado ’ s pitching .
As the trading deadline approached in 1993 , owner Jerry McMorris told Gebhard there was money available if a deal could be made .
The result was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brad Ausmus and reliever Doug Bochtler to San Diego in exchange for Greg Harris and well-known veteran pitcher Bruce Hurst .
Harris , whose terrific curveball didn ’ t break at altitude , went 4-20 with a 6.60 ERA with the Rockies and Hurst , who had a bad shoulder , pitched just three games .
Ashby , who couldn ’ t handle the stress of pitching at altitude , and Ausmus , both became all-stars after they left Colorado .
Gebhard regards the Harris trade as the worst of his career .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gebhard fired Baylor .
Then Gebhard , along with McMorris and co-owners Dick and Charlie Monfort , hired Jim Leyland as the new manager .
It was an unmitigated disaster .
Baylor had been the right man at the right time , but Leyland and his small-ball philosophy was absolutely the wrong man at the wrong time .
Legacy : Gebhard , inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame this year , cobbled together the 1993 expansion team with a total payroll of $ 8 million and a $ 300,000 budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 1995 Rockies qualified for the playoffs as an NL wild-card team , making the postseason faster than any expansion team in modern baseball history .
A workaholic and details man , Gebhard also left an indelible mark on Coors Field , which opened in 1995 .
That signature pine forest , pond , rock waterfalls and fountains beyond center field ?
That was Gebhard ’ s baby .
Playoff history : In 2007 , the Rockies qualified as an NL wild-card team and advanced to the World Series , where the Rockies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2009 , Colorado qualified as an NL wild-card team before losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in four games in the NLDS .
Best moves : A number of prime players were drafted during the O ’ Dowd years : Troy Tulowitzki , Jeff Francis , Brad Hawpe , Garrett Atkins , Nolan Arenado , Charlie Blackmon , Kyle Freeland , Ryan McMahon , Jon Gray , David Dahl , Trevor Story and Scott Oberg .
O ’ Dowd and his staff deserve credit for those smart decisions .
His best trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he sent Matt Holliday to Oakland in exchange for Carlos Gonzalez and Huston Street .
Holliday was not going to re-sign with Colorado when his contract was up , so O ’ Dowd shipped him and got an all-star and fan favorite in CarGo and three solid seasons out of Street .
As the Rockies rebounded from a disappointing 2008 , O ’ Dowd bolstered the ’ 09 squad with starters Jason Marquis and Jason Hammel and reliever Matt Belisle .
Also in 2009 , the Rockies acquired left-hander Jorge De La Rosa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winningest pitcher in franchise history .
Worst moves : Prior to the 2000 season , Dealin ’ Dan made the biggest mistake of his career , signing two big-name , left-handed free-agent pitchers to long-term , big-money deals .
In the process , he inadvertently taught the franchise a lesson that stands to this day .
Denny Neagle signed a five-year , $ 55 million contract and Mike Hampton was signed for $ 121 million spread over eight years .
Both deals were disasters , Hampton ’ s in particular .
He pitched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shipped out of town after two seasons — with the Rockies eating most of the remaining $ 90 million on his deal .
The bad contracts hamstrung the Rockies for years .
While O ’ Dowd was adept at stocking position talent , he was not very good at drafting pitchers .
With 22 first-round picks , O ’ Dowd used 13 on pitchers .
Eight of those pitchers never pitched a big-league game for the Rockies .
The biggest draft bust under O ’ Dowd occurred in 2006 when the Rockies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall — one spot ahead of Evan Longoria and five spots ahead of Clayton Kershaw .
As O ’ Dowd tried to come to terms with playing baseball at altitude , he launched “ Project 5183 ” in 2012 ( the elevation in feet of Coors Field ) .
The Rockies employed a four-man “ piggyback ” rotation with strict 75-pitch limits for its starting pitchers and assigned other starters to work long relief .
The idea bombed and his meddling prompted manager Jim Tracy ’ s resignation after the season .
Legacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s GM for 15 years and during his tenure the Rockies finished fourth or fifth in the NL West 11 times .
He was a passionate baseball man but his sometimes volatile personality rubbed some in the organization the wrong way .
To O ’ Dowd ’ s credit , the Rockies reached their only World Series on his watch as he built a team using a successful mix of homegrown talent and key free-agent acquisitions .
Playoff history : In 2017 , qualified for NL wild-card playoff game but lost to Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West title in Game 163 .
Beat the Chicago Cubs in the NL wild-card play-in game but were then swept in three games by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS .
Best moves : On Jan. 28 , 2016 , Bridich pulled the trigger on a savvy deal with Tampa Bay .
In exchange for slugging outfielder Corey Dickerson , the Rockies got lefty reliever Jake McGee , minor-league third baseman Kevin Padlo and a promising right-hander named German Marquez .
If he stays healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , five-year , $ 43 million contract extension last April — has a chance to be the best starter in Colorado history .
After feuding with , and then firing manager Walt Weiss after the 2016 season , Bridich hired Bud Black , a former major-league pitcher .
It was a clear indication that Bridich was going to approach pitching in a new way .
Before the 2017 season , Bridich signed closer Greg Holland to a one-year , $ 7 million deal with lucrative incentives .
Holland was coming off Tommy John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season for Colorado , leading the NL with 41 saves in a league-high 58 appearances .
Worst moves : Prior to the 2018 season , the Rockies spent $ 106 million on the relief trio Wade Davis , Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw .
It was Bridich ’ s intention to bolster the bullpen , and while Davis led the NL with 43 saves in 2018 , the signings have largely been an expensive bust .
Bridich , who for months denied rumors that all-star shortstop Tulowitzki was on the trading block , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reliever LaTroy Hawkins to Toronto at the trade deadline in 2015 .
In exchange , Colorado got shortstop Jose Reyes and three right-handed pitching prospects : Miguel Castro , Jeff Hoffman and Jesus Tinoco .
Today , only Hoffman and Tinoco are still with the team but neither has yet to fulfill their perceived potential .
Reyes was designated for assignment by Colorado in June 2016 after his arrest in the offseason for alleged domestic abuse .
Colorado ate around $ 40 million worth of Reyes ’ salary when he was cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Colorado signed Ian Desmond to a five-year , $ 70 million contract with an initial plan for him to play first base .
That experiment didn ’ t work out and now he ’ s a left fielder who is expected to split time with Raimel Tapia .
The Rockies still owe Desmond $ 25 million through 2021 ( including a $ 2 million buyout for ’ 22 ) .
During his first three seasons with the team , Desmond , 34 , has slashed .252/.313/.429 .
Legacy : Bridich is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nolan Arenado signed an eight-year , $ 260 million contract , and in 2018 , Blackmon signed a six-year , $ 108-million deal .
And yes , Bridich got to the Rockies to the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history .
But Bridich ’ s intense , some would say smug personality , has rankled many in the franchise and led to feuds with the media .
The very public discord with Arenado , who ’ s said he feels “ disrespected ” by the GM , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost certainly exercise his opt-out clause after the 2021 season , if he ’ s not traded before then .
After a disastrous 91-loss season in 2019 , Bridich could very well be on the hot seat when baseball resumes .

The task: draw up a blueprint, construct a major league team and maintain a consistent winner.
The challenge: Figure out how to accomplish that at a mile above sea level, where baseballs fly, ERAs soar and legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully once opined, “You don’t need an official scorer at Coors Field, you need a certified public accountant.”
The architects through the franchise’s first 27 years: General managers Bob Gebhard, Dan O’Dowd and Jeff Bridich.
All three men tasted morsels of success amid multiple losing seasons. There is no “normal” to be found at Coors Field, which led each GM to construct a different type of team.
Gebhard’s entertaining “Blake Street Bombers” produced a historically quick trip to the playoffs but not sustained success. “Dealin’ Dan” spent big and traded frequently to limited success, only to eventually steer the Rockies to their only World Series with a team filled with homegrown talent. Bridich, the current GM, built a team that made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, believing that the right kind of pitcher could actually tame the Coors Field beast.
How do they stack up? Following is an analysis of each of the Rockies’ GMs:
Bob Gebhard (1992-99)
Record: 494-538 (.433)
Playoff history: In 1995, Rockies qualified as the National League wild-card team in just the third season in franchise history. Lost to Atlanta in four games in the NLDS.
Best moves: Building the Rockies from scratch, Gebhard hired Don Baylor as the Rockies’ first manager. Strong-willed and well-respected, Baylor was the perfect pick for a hodgepodge team that issued nametags at its first spring training in 1993.
Out of a combination of moves from the expansion draft, sly trades and low-budget signings, “Geb” constructed a first-year team that included Dante Bichette, Andres Galarraga, Vinny Castilla, Eric Young, Joe Girardi, starters Kevin Ritz and Armando Reynoso, and reliever Darren Holmes.
Prior to the 1994 season, the Rockies signed free agent shortstop Walt Weiss and outfielder Ellis Burks.
In April 1995, Gebhard signed future Hall of Fame outfielder Larry Walker to a four-year, $22.5 million deal that solidified the Rockies as a contender. Walker played 10 seasons in Colorado and stands as the greatest free-agent signing in franchise history.
In June 1995, Gebhard selected first baseman Todd Helton in the first round of the draft, one of the most prescient moves in franchise history.
Worst moves: Gebhard was impatient to upgrade Colorado’s pitching. As the trading deadline approached in 1993, owner Jerry McMorris told Gebhard there was money available if a deal could be made. The result was a trade sending pitcher Andy Ashby, catcher Brad Ausmus and reliever Doug Bochtler to San Diego in exchange for Greg Harris and well-known veteran pitcher Bruce Hurst. Harris, whose terrific curveball didn’t break at altitude, went 4-20 with a 6.60 ERA with the Rockies and Hurst, who had a bad shoulder, pitched just three games.
Ashby, who couldn’t handle the stress of pitching at altitude, and Ausmus, both became all-stars after they left Colorado. Gebhard regards the Harris trade as the worst of his career.
Also, after a disappointing 1998 season, Gebhard fired Baylor. Then Gebhard, along with McMorris and co-owners Dick and Charlie Monfort, hired Jim Leyland as the new manager. It was an unmitigated disaster. Baylor had been the right man at the right time, but Leyland and his small-ball philosophy was absolutely the wrong man at the wrong time.
Legacy: Gebhard, inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame this year, cobbled together the 1993 expansion team with a total payroll of $8 million and a $300,000 budget for his scouting department. Gebhard’s 1995 Rockies qualified for the playoffs as an NL wild-card team, making the postseason faster than any expansion team in modern baseball history. A workaholic and details man, Gebhard also left an indelible mark on Coors Field, which opened in 1995. That signature pine forest, pond, rock waterfalls and fountains beyond center field? That was Gebhard’s baby.
Dan O’Dowd (1999-14)
Record: 1,129-1,302 (.464)
Playoff history: In 2007, the Rockies qualified as an NL wild-card team and advanced to the World Series, where the Rockies were swept by the Boston Red Sox. In 2009, Colorado qualified as an NL wild-card team before losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in four games in the NLDS.
Best moves: A number of prime players were drafted during the O’Dowd years: Troy Tulowitzki, Jeff Francis, Brad Hawpe, Garrett Atkins, Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, Kyle Freeland, Ryan McMahon, Jon Gray, David Dahl, Trevor Story and Scott Oberg. O’Dowd and his staff deserve credit for those smart decisions.
His best trade came prior to the 2009 season when he sent Matt Holliday to Oakland in exchange for Carlos Gonzalez and Huston Street. Holliday was not going to re-sign with Colorado when his contract was up, so O’Dowd shipped him and got an all-star and fan favorite in CarGo and three solid seasons out of Street.
As the Rockies rebounded from a disappointing 2008, O’Dowd bolstered the ’09 squad with starters Jason Marquis and Jason Hammel and reliever Matt Belisle. Also in 2009, the Rockies acquired left-hander Jorge De La Rosa from Kansas City, who remains the winningest pitcher in franchise history.
Worst moves: Prior to the 2000 season, Dealin’ Dan made the biggest mistake of his career, signing two big-name, left-handed free-agent pitchers to long-term, big-money deals. In the process, he inadvertently taught the franchise a lesson that stands to this day.
Denny Neagle signed a five-year, $55 million contract and Mike Hampton was signed for $121 million spread over eight years. Both deals were disasters, Hampton’s in particular. He pitched to a 6.15 ERA in 2002 and was shipped out of town after two seasons — with the Rockies eating most of the remaining $90 million on his deal. The bad contracts hamstrung the Rockies for years.
While O’Dowd was adept at stocking position talent, he was not very good at drafting pitchers. With 22 first-round picks, O’Dowd used 13 on pitchers. Eight of those pitchers never pitched a big-league game for the Rockies.
The biggest draft bust under O’Dowd occurred in 2006 when the Rockies selected Greg Reynolds at No. 2 overall — one spot ahead of Evan Longoria and five spots ahead of Clayton Kershaw.
As O’Dowd tried to come to terms with playing baseball at altitude, he launched “Project 5183” in 2012 (the elevation in feet of Coors Field). The Rockies employed a four-man “piggyback” rotation with strict 75-pitch limits for its starting pitchers and assigned other starters to work long relief. The idea bombed and his meddling prompted manager Jim Tracy’s resignation after the season.
Legacy: O’Dowd was Colorado’s GM for 15 years and during his tenure the Rockies finished fourth or fifth in the NL West 11 times. He was a passionate baseball man but his sometimes volatile personality rubbed some in the organization the wrong way. To O’Dowd’s credit, the Rockies reached their only World Series on his watch as he built a team using a successful mix of homegrown talent and key free-agent acquisitions.
Jeff Bridich (2014-present)
Record: 458-519 (.469)
Playoff history: In 2017, qualified for NL wild-card playoff game but lost to Arizona. In 2018, lost a playoff to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West title in Game 163. Beat the Chicago Cubs in the NL wild-card play-in game but were then swept in three games by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS.
Best moves: On Jan. 28, 2016, Bridich pulled the trigger on a savvy deal with Tampa Bay. In exchange for slugging outfielder Corey Dickerson, the Rockies got lefty reliever Jake McGee, minor-league third baseman Kevin Padlo and a promising right-hander named German Marquez. If he stays healthy, Marquez — who signed a team-friendly, five-year, $43 million contract extension last April — has a chance to be the best starter in Colorado history.
After feuding with, and then firing manager Walt Weiss after the 2016 season, Bridich hired Bud Black, a former major-league pitcher. It was a clear indication that Bridich was going to approach pitching in a new way.
Before the 2017 season, Bridich signed closer Greg Holland to a one-year, $7 million deal with lucrative incentives. Holland was coming off Tommy John surgery in 2015 but delivered a strong season for Colorado, leading the NL with 41 saves in a league-high 58 appearances.
Worst moves: Prior to the 2018 season, the Rockies spent $106 million on the relief trio Wade Davis, Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw. It was Bridich’s intention to bolster the bullpen, and while Davis led the NL with 43 saves in 2018, the signings have largely been an expensive bust.
Bridich, who for months denied rumors that all-star shortstop Tulowitzki was on the trading block, shocked baseball by trading “Tulo” and reliever LaTroy Hawkins to Toronto at the trade deadline in 2015. In exchange, Colorado got shortstop Jose Reyes and three right-handed pitching prospects: Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman and Jesus Tinoco. Today, only Hoffman and Tinoco are still with the team but neither has yet to fulfill their perceived potential.
Reyes was designated for assignment by Colorado in June 2016 after his arrest in the offseason for alleged domestic abuse. Colorado ate around $40 million worth of Reyes’ salary when he was cut loose.
Prior to the 2017 season, Colorado signed Ian Desmond to a five-year, $70 million contract with an initial plan for him to play first base. That experiment didn’t work out and now he’s a left fielder who is expected to split time with Raimel Tapia. The Rockies still owe Desmond $25 million through 2021 (including a $2 million buyout for ’22). During his first three seasons with the team, Desmond, 34, has slashed .252/.313/.429.
Legacy: Bridich is not afraid to spend money. Last year, Nolan Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million contract, and in 2018, Blackmon signed a six-year, $108-million deal. And yes, Bridich got to the Rockies to the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.
But Bridich’s intense, some would say smug personality, has rankled many in the franchise and led to feuds with the media. The very public discord with Arenado, who’s said he feels “disrespected” by the GM, means the future Hall of Famer will almost certainly exercise his opt-out clause after the 2021 season, if he’s not traded before then.
After a disastrous 91-loss season in 2019, Bridich could very well be on the hot seat when baseball resumes.