usatoday--2020-12-30--More store closings in 2021? These are the most vulnerable major retailers of 2021 as pandemic conti

For retailers that survived the catastrophe that was 2020 , there 's hope on the horizon in 2021 .
But there 's no guarantee they 'll keep their engines running long enough to reach the light at the end of the tunnel .
While 2020 was a mess for many retailers , leading to the liquidation of chains like Stein Mart and Pier 1 Imports , it was a boon to others , like Walmart , Target and Dick 's Sporting Goods .
`` If you ’ re in a sector like department stores or specialty or off-price or apparel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Mickey Chadha , vice president and senior credit officer of Moody 's Investor Service , who studies the retail sector .
Save better , send better : We 'll tell you how and send money tips , advice delivered right to your inbox .
Sign up here More J.C. Penney store closings : After exiting bankruptcy , 15 additional stores will shutter in spring 2021 .
See the list .
Despite the crushing shutdowns that temporarily brought physical sales to a standstill in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling retailers are now hoping that a nationwide vaccination campaign will bring them back from the brink .
Restrictions still continue in California and other states also continue to limit the number of shoppers that can enter stores .
Apple temporarily closed all 53 of its California stores again and about a dozen other stores across the country because of COVID-19 surges .
`` It really comes down to how long COVID persists , '' said Chris Hudgins , who analyzes retail data for research firm S & P Global Market Intelligence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and a lot of the cases come down and people go out and start shopping more , that will alleviate some strain on the retail sector . ''
There 's one bright spot retailers are in a position to benefit from : E-commerce sales growth has been enormous and is expected to continue .
Moody 's projected growth of 14 % to 15 % for e-commerce sales in 2021 , even as people are expected to return to stores as the pandemic ebbs .
Here 's a list of major retailers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on USA TODAY research , public data and analyst reports : The department store chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May after its sales collapsed amid temporary store closures .
The company was at risk of total liquidation for months as it negotiated with its creditors .
After reaching a deal to sell to a consortium of property owners , including mall company Simon Property Group , J.C. Penney emerged from bankruptcy in December having closed more than 150 stores .
While that 's good news for fans of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains an icon of the era when shopping malls dominated American retail , it 's not out of the woods yet .
2021 will be crucial to whether J.C. Penney can prove its relevance to consumers who grew more comfortable than ever with online shopping in 2020 .
`` For a long time , we ’ ve seen foot traffic at department stores declining , '' Hudgins said .
Another 15 stores have been added to the chopping block and are scheduled to close by the end of March and it 's possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might think they 're already out of business since thousands of their stores have closed in recent years , but they 're not gone .
Both chains were owned by a company that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2018 and narrowly escaped liquidation in early 2019 .
They were sold to their longtime investor and CEO , Eddie Lampert , who has kept them alive on a shoestring budget .
In February 2020 , another 51 Sears and 45 Kmart locations closed , leaving some 182 surviving stores .
There have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcements have been made since then .
While Sears and Kmart are a shadow of their former selves , they remain in operation .
But given that they have been struggling for ages in healthy times , experts sayit 's hard to see how they can mount a turnaround during or in the wake of a pandemic .
Rite Aid 's outlook has been gloomy for several years and Moody 's considers the company to be a `` very high credit risk . ''
The company is stuck in an uncomfortable netherworld : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to drugstore rivals Walgreens and CVS but not agile or rich enough to reinvent itself .
A few bad breaks have n't helped : A merger deal with grocery chain Albertsons collapsed in 2018 , leaving the company 's path to reinvention unclear .
Plans for a mega-merger between Walgreens and Fred 's also collapsed in June 2017 amid federal antitrust concerns .
Like Moody 's , S & P Global Ratings views Rite Aid as facing a risk of failing to meet its financial obligations if something goes wrong .
Quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be selling party goods when parties are , in some states , illegal .
Given restrictions on large gatherings intended to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus , the market for balloons , streamers , party decorations and costumes is naturally limited .
Party City was already facing challenges before this crisis began .
The company has closed 76 stores since 2019 , most of them before the pandemic , leaving it with 739 locations as of Sept. 30 .
Its financial troubles mounted in 2020 .
The company posted a loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine months of 2020 , compared with a loss of $ 264 million in the same period of 2019 .
This fabrics retailer remains on the edge of trouble .
Owned by private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners , Jo-Ann faces the challenge of digging out of debt while dealing with the retail industry 's other challenges .
Private-equity ownership has been a problem for many other retailers in recent years , such as Toys R Us , which liquidated after accumulating too much debt and facing intense competition .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have now in the distressed space are still owned by private equity firms and still have weak balance sheets , '' Moody 's executive Chadha said .
`` And those companies are going to find it difficult , even when things normalize , to compete with stronger players that got stronger in 2020 because it ’ s just going to be that much more competitive . ''
One of the first major retailers to file for bankruptcy protection during the pandemic , Neiman Marcus entered Chapter 11 in early May .
It successfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy in September , giving it another shot at achieving sustainability .
But time could be running out for the department store model .
Neiman Marcus is already on Moody 's list of vulnerable retailers based on their financial circumstances .
Tuesday Morning was already struggling when the coronavirus pandemic began and went into a free fall when it was forced to temporarily close its locations due to the crisis .
The off-price retailer – which sells a wide variety of merchandise including home decor , bath and body goods , crafts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy protection in May .
The company said it expected to stay in business while using the bankruptcy process to restructure operations .
As of Sept. 30 , it had 490 states in 40 states after closing 197 stores as part of its reorganization plans .
Apparel retailer Christopher & Banks , which caters to women over 40 , announced Dec. 10 that it hired strategic advisors including B. Riley Securities Inc. and is working to refinance debt and explore alternatives .
The Minneapolis-based company obtained a $ 10 million loan under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We believe that COVID has had an outsized impact on our customer demographic as her shopping behavior is more pragmatic with limited demand for new outfits in the absence of social engagements , '' Keri Jones , president and CEO , said in a statement Dec. 10 .
`` In addition , based on our own retail traffic trends we believe she remains hesitant to shop in stores . ''
As of Oct. 31 , the company operated 452 stores in 44 states , including 316 Missy , Petite , Women stores , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Banks stores , and 28 C.J .
Banks stores .
Jones said COVID was expected to continue to depress sales over the next several months .
The women 's retailer announced in September that it had worked withlenders to restructure its debt out of court .
The company , which has more than 280 stores nationwide , had signaled it would consider filing for bankruptcy .
Interim CEO James S. Scully said in December that the company 's third-quarter results showed improvement because stores were open for the entire quarter versus the temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanent CEO , Claire Spofford , will join the company in early 2021 .
Macy 's announced in February 2020 that it planned to cut 2,000 jobs and close one-fifth of its stores or roughly 125 locations over the next couple of years while also opening smaller stores that are not located in malls .
Macy 's along with other department store chains temporarily shuttered all of its stores amid the pandemic in mid-March .
The company , which includes Bloomingdale 's and Bluemercury , started reopening stores in May and added curbside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in better shape than some of its competitors .
In June , officials said the company received a credit line of $ 3.15 billion backed by its inventory , bringing its total new financing to $ 4.5 billion .
In September , Macy 's Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette said the timeline for permanent store closings could be adjusted as the company monitors the competition and the recovery from the pandemic .
`` Retail today has been disrupted .
And while that disruption creates challenges , it also holds opportunity , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earnings call .
`` With many competitors closing or struggling , we see the potential to bring new customers into our brands and gain market share . ''
In November , Gennette said the company entered the quarter `` in a stronger than expected position . ''
Also listed on USA TODAY 's 2020 list of struggling retailers , Ascena Retail Group , the parent company of Lane Bryant and Ann Taylor , which filed for bankruptcy in July .
The New Jersey-based company said at the time of the Chapter 11 filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store fleet from approximately 2,800 stores to approximately 1,200 stores , '' which represents a 56 % reduction in the company 's total number of stores .
The company shuttered all of its Catherines plus-size stores and in November announced it sold the rights , title , licenses and e-commerce business of its Justice tween brand to management company Bluestar Alliance LLC .
Most Justice stores have already closed and the remaining locations are expected to close in early 2021 .
On Dec. 23 , the company announced it sold Ann Taylor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bryant brands to Sycamore Brands , a New York private equity firm .
Ascena also sold two of its brands , Maurices and Dressbarn , in 2019 before bankruptcy .
Even before the pandemic , Bed Bath & Beyond planned to close stores but in July the number increased to 200 planned closures , accounting for some 21 % of the company 's namesake stores .
In September , the New Jersey-based home goods retailer – which also operates buybuy Baby and Harmon Face Values – revealed the first 63 namesake stores that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of 2020 .
In late October , company officials said the 200 stores are expected to close by the end of the 2021 fiscal year .
Under the leadership of CEO Mark Tritton , who joined Bed Bath & Beyond in November 2019 from Target , the company has been sellingsome of its brands .
On Dec. 14 , the company announced it was selling Cost Plus World Market , which has 243 stores , to Los Angeles-based private equity firm Kingswood Capital Management .
Bed Bath sold its Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
In May , L Brands , the parent company of Victoria 's Secret and Bath & Body Works , said it would permanently close approximately 250 stores in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 .
As of the end of October , the company reported it had closed 223 Victoria 's Secret stores and three Pink locations and opened 18 new Victoria 's Secret and two Pink stores .
It also closed 13 of its 38 stores in Canada .
With the openings and closings , it has 704 Victoria 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February , L Brands announced a deal to sell 55 % of Victoria ’ s Secret to Sycamore Partners .
After the pandemic struck , Sycamore went to court to back out of the deal and in early May , both parties called it off .
“ We would expect to have a meaningful number of additional store closures beyond the 250 that we 're pursuing this year , meaning there will be more in 2021 and probably a bit more in 2022 , ” interim Victoria ’ s Secret CEO Stuart Burgdoerfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they still plan to separate Victoria 's Secret and Bath & Body Works into two companies , which has pleased investors .
Despite sales improving in the third quarter , L Brands CEO Andrew Meslow said in November the company was cautious `` given anticipated constraints on store traffic , online fulfillment and shipping capacity , as well as other uncertainties related to the COVID pandemic . ''
Fashion retailer Express launched a turnaround plan in January 2020 and announced it would close 100 of its 600 stores .
Express CEO Timothy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December that the company had hired investment bank Lazard Frères & Co. to help raise enough financing to carry the company through the pandemic .
Earlier in December , the company said it had completed a 10 % workforce reduction at its Columbus , Ohio corporate office .
The reductions are expected to save $ 13 million in 2021 in addition to the $ 95 million cash tax benefit the company expects to receive in the second quarter of 2021 as part of the CARES Act .
Follow USA TODAY reporters Nathan Bomey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and @ KellyTyko .

More store closings in 2021? These are the most vulnerable major retailers of 2021 as pandemic continues
Show Caption Hide Caption Shopping: These retailers will either make it or break it in 2021 From J.C. Penney to Victoria's Secret, here are 8 retailers who will either make it or break it in 2021. Staff Video, USA TODAY
For retailers that survived the catastrophe that was 2020, there's hope on the horizon in 2021.
But there's no guarantee they'll keep their engines running long enough to reach the light at the end of the tunnel.
While 2020 was a mess for many retailers, leading to the liquidation of chains like Stein Mart and Pier 1 Imports, it was a boon to others, like Walmart, Target and Dick's Sporting Goods.
"If you’re in a sector like department stores or specialty or off-price or apparel, you suffered the most in 2020," said Mickey Chadha, vice president and senior credit officer of Moody's Investor Service, who studies the retail sector.
Save better, send better: We'll tell you how and send money tips, advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here
More J.C. Penney store closings: After exiting bankruptcy, 15 additional stores will shutter in spring 2021. See the list.
Despite the crushing shutdowns that temporarily brought physical sales to a standstill in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic across the nation, the industry's struggling retailers are now hoping that a nationwide vaccination campaign will bring them back from the brink.
Restrictions still continue in California and other states also continue to limit the number of shoppers that can enter stores. Apple temporarily closed all 53 of its California stores again and about a dozen other stores across the country because of COVID-19 surges.
"It really comes down to how long COVID persists," said Chris Hudgins, who analyzes retail data for research firm S&P Global Market Intelligence. "If we see this vaccine roll out and a lot of the cases come down and people go out and start shopping more, that will alleviate some strain on the retail sector."
There's one bright spot retailers are in a position to benefit from: E-commerce sales growth has been enormous and is expected to continue. Moody's projected growth of 14% to 15% for e-commerce sales in 2021, even as people are expected to return to stores as the pandemic ebbs.
Here's a list of major retailers for whom 2021 could be a make-or-break year based on USA TODAY research, public data and analyst reports:
J.C. Penney
The department store chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May after its sales collapsed amid temporary store closures.
The company was at risk of total liquidation for months as it negotiated with its creditors. After reaching a deal to sell to a consortium of property owners, including mall company Simon Property Group, J.C. Penney emerged from bankruptcy in December having closed more than 150 stores.
While that's good news for fans of the chain founded by James Cash Penney that remains an icon of the era when shopping malls dominated American retail, it's not out of the woods yet. 2021 will be crucial to whether J.C. Penney can prove its relevance to consumers who grew more comfortable than ever with online shopping in 2020.
"For a long time, we’ve seen foot traffic at department stores declining," Hudgins said.
Another 15 stores have been added to the chopping block and are scheduled to close by the end of March and it's possible more closings could be added.
Sears and Kmart
You might think they're already out of business since thousands of their stores have closed in recent years, but they're not gone.
Both chains were owned by a company that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2018 and narrowly escaped liquidation in early 2019. They were sold to their longtime investor and CEO, Eddie Lampert, who has kept them alive on a shoestring budget.
In February 2020, another 51 Sears and 45 Kmart locations closed, leaving some 182 surviving stores. There have been additional closings but no large closing announcements have been made since then.
While Sears and Kmart are a shadow of their former selves, they remain in operation. But given that they have been struggling for ages in healthy times, experts say it's hard to see how they can mount a turnaround during or in the wake of a pandemic.
Rite Aid
Rite Aid's outlook has been gloomy for several years and Moody's considers the company to be a "very high credit risk."
The company is stuck in an uncomfortable netherworld: not big enough to present a big threat to drugstore rivals Walgreens and CVS but not agile or rich enough to reinvent itself.
A few bad breaks haven't helped: A merger deal with grocery chain Albertsons collapsed in 2018, leaving the company's path to reinvention unclear.
Plans for a mega-merger between Walgreens and Fred's also collapsed in June 2017 amid federal antitrust concerns.
Like Moody's, S&P Global Ratings views Rite Aid as facing a risk of failing to meet its financial obligations if something goes wrong.
Party City
Quite simply, it's a tough time to be selling party goods when parties are, in some states, illegal.
Given restrictions on large gatherings intended to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus, the market for balloons, streamers, party decorations and costumes is naturally limited.
Party City was already facing challenges before this crisis began. The company has closed 76 stores since 2019, most of them before the pandemic, leaving it with 739 locations as of Sept. 30.
Its financial troubles mounted in 2020. The company posted a loss of $432 million in the first nine months of 2020, compared with a loss of $264 million in the same period of 2019.
Party City shuts down stores, partly blames helium shortages The New Jersey-based party supplies company did not release a list of affected stores but said the closures will take place throughout 2019. USA TODAY
Jo-Ann Stores
This fabrics retailer remains on the edge of trouble. Owned by private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners, Jo-Ann faces the challenge of digging out of debt while dealing with the retail industry's other challenges.
Private-equity ownership has been a problem for many other retailers in recent years, such as Toys R Us, which liquidated after accumulating too much debt and facing intense competition.
"A lot of the weaker players that we have now in the distressed space are still owned by private equity firms and still have weak balance sheets," Moody's executive Chadha said. "And those companies are going to find it difficult, even when things normalize, to compete with stronger players that got stronger in 2020 because it’s just going to be that much more competitive."
Neiman Marcus
One of the first major retailers to file for bankruptcy protection during the pandemic, Neiman Marcus entered Chapter 11 in early May.
It successfully navigated the debt-cutting process and emerged from bankruptcy in September, giving it another shot at achieving sustainability.
But time could be running out for the department store model. Neiman Marcus is already on Moody's list of vulnerable retailers based on their financial circumstances.
Tuesday Morning
Tuesday Morning was already struggling when the coronavirus pandemic began and went into a free fall when it was forced to temporarily close its locations due to the crisis.
The off-price retailer – which sells a wide variety of merchandise including home decor, bath and body goods, crafts, food, and toys – filed for bankruptcy protection in May. The company said it expected to stay in business while using the bankruptcy process to restructure operations.
As of Sept. 30, it had 490 states in 40 states after closing 197 stores as part of its reorganization plans.
Christopher & Banks
Apparel retailer Christopher & Banks, which caters to women over 40, announced on Dec. 10 that it hired strategic advisers including B. Riley Securities Inc. and is working to refinance debt and explore alternatives.
The Minneapolis-based company obtained a $10 million loan under the Paycheck Protection Program in June.
“We believe that COVID has had an outsized impact on our customer demographic as her shopping behavior is more pragmatic with limited demand for new outfits in the absence of social engagements," Keri Jones, president and CEO, said in a statement on Dec. 10. "In addition, based on our own retail traffic trends we believe she remains hesitant to shop in stores."
As of Oct. 31, the company operated 452 stores in 44 states, including 316 Missy, Petite, Women stores, 77 outlet stores, 31 Christopher & Banks stores, and 28 C.J. Banks stores.
Jones said COVID-19 was expected to continue to depress sales over the next several months.
J. Jill
The women's retailer announced in September that it had worked with lenders to restructure its debt out of court. The company, which has more than 280 stores nationwide, had signaled it would consider filing for bankruptcy.
Interim CEO James S. Scully said in December that the company's third-quarter results showed improvement because stores were open for the entire quarter versus the temporary closures from the second quarter. A permanent CEO, Claire Spofford, will join the company in early 2021.
Macy's
Macy's announced in February 2020 that it planned to cut 2,000 jobs and close one-fifth of its stores or roughly 125 locations over the next couple of years while also opening smaller stores that are not located in malls.
Macy's along with other department store chains temporarily shuttered all of its stores amid the pandemic in mid-March. The company, which includes Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury, started reopening stores in May and added curbside pickup.
Macy's appears to be in better shape than some of its competitors. In June, officials said the company received a credit line of $3.15 billion backed by its inventory, bringing its total new financing to $4.5 billion.
In September, Macy's Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette said the timeline for permanent store closings could be adjusted as the company monitors the competition and the recovery from the pandemic.
"Retail today has been disrupted. And while that disruption creates challenges, it also holds opportunity," Gennette told analysts during the September quarterly earnings call. "With many competitors closing or struggling, we see the potential to bring new customers into our brands and gain market share."
In November, Gennette said the company entered the quarter "in a stronger than expected position."
Ascena Retail Group
Also listed on USA TODAY's 2020 list of struggling retailers, Ascena Retail Group, the parent company of Lane Bryant and Ann Taylor, which filed for bankruptcy in July.
The New Jersey-based company said at the time of the Chapter 11 filing that it plans to "reduce their store fleet from approximately 2,800 stores to approximately 1,200 stores," which represents a 56% reduction in the company's total number of stores.
The company shuttered all of its Catherines plus-size stores and in November announced it sold the rights, title, licenses and e-commerce business of its Justice tween brand to management company Bluestar Alliance LLC. Most Justice stores have already closed and the remaining locations are expected to close in early 2021.
On Dec. 23, the company announced it sold Ann Taylor, Loft, Lou & Grey and Lane Bryant brands to Sycamore Brands, a New York private equity firm. Ascena also sold two of its brands, Maurices and Dressbarn, in 2019 before bankruptcy.
Bed Bath & Beyond
Even before the pandemic, Bed Bath & Beyond planned to close stores but in July the number increased to 200 planned closures, accounting for some 21% of the company's namesake stores.
In September, the New Jersey-based home goods retailer – which also operates buybuy Baby and Harmon Face Values – revealed the first 63 namesake stores that would shutter as part of the plan by the end of 2020. In late October, company officials said the 200 stores are expected to close by the end of the 2021 fiscal year.
Under the leadership of CEO Mark Tritton, who joined Bed Bath & Beyond in November 2019 from Target, the company has been selling some of its brands.
On Dec. 14, the company announced it was selling Cost Plus World Market, which has 243 stores, to Los Angeles-based private equity firm Kingswood Capital Management. Bed Bath & Beyond sold its Christmas Tree Shops brand with 80 stores in November.
Victoria's Secret
In May, L Brands, the parent company of Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, said it would permanently close approximately 250 stores in the U.S. and Canada in 2020.
As of the end of October, the company reported it had closed 223 Victoria's Secret stores and three Pink locations and opened 18 new Victoria's Secret and two Pink stores. It also closed 13 of its 38 stores in Canada.
With the openings and closings, it has 704 Victoria's Secret and 143 Pink stores.
In February, L Brands announced a deal to sell 55% of Victoria’s Secret to Sycamore Partners. After the pandemic struck, Sycamore went to court to back out of the deal and in early May, both parties called it off.
“We would expect to have a meaningful number of additional store closures beyond the 250 that we're pursuing this year, meaning there will be more in 2021 and probably a bit more in 2022,” interim Victoria’s Secret CEO Stuart Burgdoerfer told analysts in May.
Company officials said they still plan to separate Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works into two companies, which has pleased investors.
Despite sales improving in the third quarter, L Brands CEO Andrew Meslow said in November the company was cautious "given anticipated constraints on store traffic, online fulfillment and shipping capacity, as well as other uncertainties related to the COVID pandemic."
Express
Fashion retailer Express launched a turnaround plan in January 2020 and announced it would close 100 of its 600 stores.
Express CEO Timothy Baxter told the Wall Street Journal in December that the company had hired investment bank Lazard Frères & Co. to help raise enough financing to carry the company through the pandemic.
Earlier in December, the company said it had completed a 10% workforce reduction at its Columbus, Ohio, corporate office.
The reductions are expected to save $13 million in 2021 in addition to the $95 million cash tax benefit the company expects to receive in the second quarter of 2021 as part of the CARES Act.
Follow USA TODAY reporters Nathan Bomey and Kelly Tyko on Twitter @NathanBomey and @KellyTyko.


usatoday--2020-12-30--What's in the stimulus package for small businesses, PPP loans and cultural grants

Finally !
Congress took its time , and President Donald Trump held it up , but a new stimulus package was finally signed into law on Sunday night .
Fortunately , it contains some help for small-business owners and the self-employed .
Below are details of small-business provisions of the new stimulus package and as importantly : What you should do immediately to take advantage of these programs .
Keep in mind that this information is based on the legislation .
Regulations and details are yet to come out from the government agencies that administer the programs , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Treasury Department .
Here ’ s very good news .
Congress passed $ 284 billion for another round of Paycheck Protection Program loans .
You can apply for a new PPP ( forgivable ) loan , whether or not you received one before .
This can be your first or second PPP loan .
You can not get more than two .
• Your income – gross receipts – must have declined by 25 % or more in any quarter of 2020 compared to 2019 .
It appears that this loss will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just a three-month period .
Gross receipts are likely to exclude funds from PPP loans or other loans or grants .
• You must have been in business prior to Feb. 15 , 2020 .
• You must have used , or will use , all of your previous PPP loan if you received one .
• You must have fewer than 300 employees .
• No loan can be greater than $ 2 million .
How much can you get ?
• Most businesses : As in the first round of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your average monthly payroll in 2019 times 2.5 .
In other words , if your total 2019 monthly payroll cost averaged $ 10,000 , you can apply for $ 25,000 .
Keep in mind that `` payroll '' expenses include all costs for W-2 employees ( not independent contractors ) , including wages , commissions , bonuses , health insurance , retirement , state and local taxes .
• Accommodation and food service businesses ( hotels and restaurants ) : Recognizing how hard hit these industries have been , Congress upped the amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs .
In other words , if your restaurant 's 2019 monthly payroll averaged $ 10,000 , you can now apply for $ 35,000 .
Rethink that click : It 's not too late to shop small How to launch a small business product and get sales ?
: Here 's how I 'm doing it You can get forgiveness for this PPP loan by spending at least 60 % on payroll expenses ( wages , salaries , retirement , group health insurance , etc . )
and a maximum of 40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 24 week period .
More expenses now qualify ( see below ) .
PPP set aside for certain small businesses : Because the smallest businesses and those located in low- and moderate-income areas were often shut out of the first round of PPP funding , this bill includes set-asides for small businesses with fewer than 10 employees , those in low/moderate income areas , and funds for small community banks , credit unions and community-based lenders .
This will hopefully level the playing field , making it easier for smaller , needier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used for PPP forgiveness are now tax deductible .
When Congress passed the CARES Act , lawmakers indicated that PPP funds should not be taxable .
However , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin decided businesses could not deduct expenses used to qualify forgiveness – thus making an equivalent amount to PPP funds taxable .
This legislation reverses that decision .
If your PPP loan was for $ 150,000 or less , there will be a new , simple , one-page form to apply for forgiveness .
Your lender should provide you a link to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While you still need to use at least 60 % of PPP funds on payroll expenses , qualifying non-payroll expenses are much broader , now including payment for software , cloud services , accounting and human resources , property damage due to civil unrest , personal protective equipment and COVID-19-prevention equipment and , importantly – supplier costs that were contracted or ordered for before you got the loan or costs of perishable goods ordered before or during the life of the loan .
Recognizing that most venues offering in-person cultural activities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocated $ 15 billion in grants ( not loans ) for certain live events , movie theaters , museums and other cultural providers .
Live venue operators or promoters , theatrical producers , live performing arts organization operators , museum operators , motion picture theater operators , or talent representatives who demonstrate at least at 25 % reduction in revenues .
$ 2 billion ( of the $ 15 billion ) was set aside for those with 50 full-time employees or fewer , but that set-aside expires after 60 days .
So small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the initial 14-day period , grants will be awarded to eligible entities that have faced 90 % or greater revenue loss .
This may include large movie chains .
In the 14-day period following the initial 14-day period , grants will be awarded to eligible entities that have faced 70 % or greater revenue loss .
After these two periods , grants shall be awarded to all other eligible entities .
Money to be used for : Grants to be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs , rent , utilities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grant appears to be up to 45 % of your 2019 revenue or 85 % of 2019 operating expenses .
A first grant can be up to $ 10 million , and a second grant could be up to 50 % of the first grant .
In other words , a large movie theater chain could get $ 15 million in grants .
When EIDL ( Economic Injury Disaster Loan ) grants were passed by Congress , they allowed for a $ 10,000 `` Advance '' to be treated as a grant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scaled back that grant to only be $ 1,000 for each employee , counteracting congressional intent .
This addresses that issue .
• Businesses in low-income communities that received an EIDL can get a grant equal to the difference of what they received and $ 10,000 .
• Eligible businesses in low-income communities that did not get EIDL/Advance grants because funds had run out can now get $ 10,000 .
Also , if you previously received both an EIDL Advance grant and a PPP loan , you had to deduct the advance from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer have to deduct that amount from forgiveness .
What you should do immediately Act fast .
What small businesses learned the last round of PPP funding was that if you snooze , you lose .
You should be prepared to apply for everything the very first day it becomes available .
• Figure out your income by quarters this year versus 2019 .
Many small businesses have lousy records , but you 're going to have to certify at least a 25 % drop in gross revenues .
• Contact potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lending institutions , credit unions .
Ask whether they ’ re going to participate in the next round of PPP lending .
Find a couple lending sources , even if you received a PPP loan before .
• Try to connect with an individual lending officer .
You ’ ll have a better chance of getting a PPP loan if you have a relationship with a person .
• Set up business banking .
If you don ’ t already have a business bank account , get one .
• Pay attention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ openings and deadlines .
Apply DAY ONE for everything you even potentially qualify for .
Do n't pass this opportunity up !
This may be the last congressional help that comes to small businesses .
I want to see every qualified small business get the help they need to survive and thrive , so please share this information with other small-business owners and the self-employed so they can be prepared as soon as the applications for these programs become available .
And stay connected to me via social media and my newsletter ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to update information as I get it .
Let 's hope we can have a much happier — and more successful — new year .
Rhonda Abrams ' newest book `` The Sh*t ’ s Hit the Fan : Now What , 99 Recession-Proof Tips for Small Business Success '' has just been released .
Rhonda was named a `` Top 30 Global Guru '' for Startups .
Connect with Rhonda on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter .
Register for Rhonda ’ s free business tips newsletter at www.PlanningShop.com .
The views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the author ’ s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY .

What's in the stimulus package for small businesses, PPP loans and cultural grants
Show Caption Hide Caption Small business owners struggle to get loans Todd Rogethien has watched 75 percent of his business disappear amid the coronavirus pandemic. He's desperate for help from the Paycheck Protection Program but keeps running into roadblocks. (April 29) AP
Finally! Congress took its time, and President Donald Trump held it up, but a new stimulus package was finally signed into law on Sunday night. Fortunately, it contains some help for small-business owners and the self-employed. Below are details of small-business provisions of the new stimulus package and as importantly: What you should do immediately to take advantage of these programs.
Keep in mind that this information is based on the legislation. Regulations and details are yet to come out from the government agencies that administer the programs, such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Treasury Department.
1. New round of PPP (forgivable) loans
Here’s very good news. Congress passed $284 billion for another round of Paycheck Protection Program loans.
You can apply for a new PPP (forgivable) loan, whether or not you received one before. This can be your first or second PPP loan. You cannot get more than two.
Eligibility:
• Your income – gross receipts – must have declined by 25% or more in any quarter of 2020 compared to 2019. It appears that this loss will need to be measured by quarters, not just a three-month period. Gross receipts are likely to exclude funds from PPP loans or other loans or grants.
• You must have been in business prior to Feb. 15, 2020.
• You must have used, or will use, all of your previous PPP loan if you received one.
• You must have fewer than 300 employees.
• Qualified businesses can be corporations, LLCs, sole proprietors, self-employed, independent contractors.
• No loan can be greater than $2 million.
How much can you get?
• Most businesses: As in the first round of PPP, you can get up to your average monthly payroll in 2019 times 2.5. In other words, if your total 2019 monthly payroll cost averaged $10,000, you can apply for $25,000. Keep in mind that "payroll" expenses include all costs for W-2 employees (not independent contractors), including wages, commissions, bonuses, health insurance, retirement, state and local taxes.
• Accommodation and food service businesses (hotels and restaurants): Recognizing how hard hit these industries have been, Congress upped the amount to 3.5 times average 2019 monthly payroll costs. In other words, if your restaurant's 2019 monthly payroll averaged $10,000, you can now apply for $35,000.
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Forgiveness:
You can get forgiveness for this PPP loan by spending at least 60% on payroll expenses (wages, salaries, retirement, group health insurance, etc.) and a maximum of 40% on other qualifying expenses during an eight or 24 week period. More expenses now qualify (see below).
PPP set aside for certain small businesses:
Because the smallest businesses and those located in low- and moderate-income areas were often shut out of the first round of PPP funding, this bill includes set-asides for small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, those in low/moderate income areas, and funds for small community banks, credit unions and community-based lenders. This will hopefully level the playing field, making it easier for smaller, needier businesses to get these loans.
2. If you've already received PPP funds
New treatment of PPP expenses:
Expenses used for PPP forgiveness are now tax deductible. When Congress passed the CARES Act, lawmakers indicated that PPP funds should not be taxable. However, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin decided businesses could not deduct expenses used to qualify forgiveness – thus making an equivalent amount to PPP funds taxable. This legislation reverses that decision.
Simplified form for forgiveness:
If your PPP loan was for $150,000 or less, there will be a new, simple, one-page form to apply for forgiveness. Your lender should provide you a link to a form soon in the new year.
More expenses qualify for forgiveness:
While you still need to use at least 60% of PPP funds on payroll expenses, qualifying non-payroll expenses are much broader, now including payment for software, cloud services, accounting and human resources, property damage due to civil unrest, personal protective equipment and COVID-19-prevention equipment and, importantly – supplier costs that were contracted or ordered for before you got the loan or costs of perishable goods ordered before or during the life of the loan.
3. Grants for cultural, arts, live events, theaters
Recognizing that most venues offering in-person cultural activities have been shuttered throughout the pandemic, Congress allocated $15 billion in grants (not loans) for certain live events, movie theaters, museums and other cultural providers.
Eligibility:
Live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theater operators, or talent representatives who demonstrate at least at 25% reduction in revenues.
Smaller providers:
$2 billion (of the $15 billion) was set aside for those with 50 full-time employees or fewer, but that set-aside expires after 60 days. So small providers need to act fast!
Harder-hit providers:
In the initial 14-day period, grants will be awarded to eligible entities that have faced 90% or greater revenue loss. This may include large movie chains. In the 14-day period following the initial 14-day period, grants will be awarded to eligible entities that have faced 70% or greater revenue loss. After these two periods, grants shall be awarded to all other eligible entities.
Money to be used for:
Grants to be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities and personal protective equipment.
Amount:
The amount of grant appears to be up to 45% of your 2019 revenue or 85% of 2019 operating expenses. A first grant can be up to $10 million, and a second grant could be up to 50% of the first grant. In other words, a large movie theater chain could get $15 million in grants.
4. Grants, changes for Economic Injury Disaster Loan
When EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) grants were passed by Congress, they allowed for a $10,000 "Advance" to be treated as a grant, not a loan. The SBA unilaterally scaled back that grant to only be $1,000 for each employee, counteracting congressional intent. This addresses that issue.
• Businesses in low-income communities that received an EIDL can get a grant equal to the difference of what they received and $10,000.
• Eligible businesses in low-income communities that did not get EIDL/Advance grants because funds had run out can now get $10,000.
Also, if you previously received both an EIDL Advance grant and a PPP loan, you had to deduct the advance from your PPP forgiveness amount. You now no longer have to deduct that amount from forgiveness.
What you should do immediately
Act fast. What small businesses learned the last round of PPP funding was that if you snooze, you lose. You should be prepared to apply for everything the very first day it becomes available.
Figure out your income by quarters this year versus 2019. Many small businesses have lousy records, but you're going to have to certify at least a 25% drop in gross revenues. Contact potential lenders. Contact local banks, community lending institutions, credit unions. Ask whether they’re going to participate in the next round of PPP lending. Find a couple lending sources, even if you received a PPP loan before. Try to connect with an individual lending officer. You’ll have a better chance of getting a PPP loan if you have a relationship with a person. Set up business banking. If you don’t already have a business bank account, get one. Pay attention. Keep a close out eye for application openings and deadlines. Apply DAY ONE for everything you even potentially qualify for.
Don't pass this opportunity up! This may be the last congressional help that comes to small businesses.
I want to see every qualified small business get the help they need to survive and thrive, so please share this information with other small-business owners and the self-employed so they can be prepared as soon as the applications for these programs become available. And stay connected to me via social media and my newsletter (sign up here) as I will continue to update information as I get it.
Let's hope we can have a much happier — and more successful — new year.
Rhonda Abrams' newest book "The Sh*t’s Hit the Fan: Now What, 99 Recession-Proof Tips for Small Business Success" has just been released. Rhonda was named a "Top 30 Global Guru" for Startups. Connect with Rhonda on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Register for Rhonda’s free business tips newsletter at www.PlanningShop.com.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.


usatoday--2020-12-30--Opinion: What happened to Dabo Swinney? Even as Clemson wins, he loses with out-of-touch stances

The night of Dec. 31 , 2015 was probably the first time most people with a casual interest in college football had seen much of Dabo Swinney , and for the most part , America loved what it saw .
His program , the Clemson Tigers , was the new kid on the block and would soon play Alabama in a classic national championship game that foreshadowed a decade-defining rivalry .
Swinney himself was a welcome fresh face for the sport .
In a coaching profession that had become buttoned-up and corporate , Swinney was engaging , folksy and laid-back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat media obligations like an imposition on their ability to watch the same game film for the 2,000th time that week , Swinney could turn any question into a soliloquy and a story .
The more Clemson won , the bigger Swinney got .
And the bigger he got , the more we heard him talk .
And talk .
And talk .
And talk , to the point where we have learned more about his worldview in the last five years than perhaps all of his Division I coaching colleagues combined .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has Notre Dame closed the gap ?
We 're about to find out against Alabama PANDEMIC TAKEAWAYS : Lessons college football is going to take from COVID-19 But the more Swinney has talked , the less he has projected the image of the fun-loving , new-age program builder that defined his rise from coaching nothingness , and the more he has come across as stubborn , ill-informed and out-of-touch .
As Clemson prepares for its sixth consecutive appearance in the Playoff in Friday ’ s Sugar Bowl semifinal against Ohio State , aiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this era , Swinney will end 2020 as arguably the sport ’ s most polarizing figure .
On every topic that defined this year in college football from the pandemic to racial inequality to something as picayune as how he voted in the Amway Coaches Poll , Swinney has leaned into controversy and doubled down .
And it doesn ’ t seem to bother him in the least .
“ He is going to stand on his beliefs , and he ’ s certainly not going to be politically correct , ” Clemson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swinney this : No matter what he says in a given moment , you know it ’ s coming from an authentic place .
That ’ s just as true now that he has two championships and a $ 9 million a year contract as it was a decade ago when it looked as if he might be a short-timer as a college head coach .
The difference now is Swinney is arguably the face of the sport right next to Nick Saban , so more people are paying attention more often .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoiding controversy into an art form , Swinney does not filter anything , even on sensitive topics where he knows it will make him the target of criticism and mockery .
And frankly , in 2020 , he ’ s deserved it .
Just look at some of his greatest hits from the year : -- When the pandemic first hit and everything in college sports was canceled for the foreseeable future , Swinney in April had “ zero doubt that we ’ re going to be playing and the stands are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re going to rise up and kick this thing in the teeth and get back to our lives.
” Why was he so sure ?
Because we ’ re America , goshdarnit , and “ We ’ ve stormed the beaches of Normandy .
We ’ ve sent a rover out on Mars and walked on the moon.
” -- In June , when college athletes across the country were protesting racial injustice and discussing bias in policing after George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis , Swinney came up woefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give his own response .
“ What I know as I approach everything from a perspective of faith is that where there are people , there ’ s going to be hate , there ’ s going to be racism and greed and jealousy and crime and so on because we live in a sinful fallen world , ” he said in a tone-deaf diversion that registered as a gut-punch to some of his former players .
-- Swinney ’ s inadequate response prompted the revelation from a former player that assistant coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a 2017 practice .
Though the slur was not directed at the player , it was clear the incident had not been addressed at the time by Swinney to the satisfaction of several players who witnessed it .
Ultimately , Pearman apologized .
-- A few days later , a photograph surfaced on Twitter of Swinney at a pool wearing a “ Football Matters ” t-shirt , a slogan that was part of a National Football Foundation campaign .
Given the context of racial justice protests happening all over the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media .
Swinney said “ any insinuation that I was trying to mock the ‘ Black Lives Matter ’ movement is just an attack against my character , ” which is certainly believable .
But for such a well-known person , not understanding how out of place “ Football Matters ” would be perceived at that time made him look aloof .
Later , Swinney joined players in a social justice march and admitted to reporters , `` I 'm embarrassed to say that there ’ s things on this campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I knew the basics but not the details .
But I ’ ve learned and I ’ ve listened . ''
-- On the morning of Nov. 21 , with Clemson already in Tallahassee getting ready to play Florida State , the Seminoles canceled the game because a Tigers ’ player who traveled with the team tested positive for COVID-19 .
It turned into a four-day back-and-forth between the schools , with Swinney ultimately accusing the Seminoles of ducking the game .
“ This game was not canceled because of COVID , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an excuse to cancel the game.
” In the middle of a pandemic season where everyone is having to roll with the punches , it was petty and unnecessary to pick that fight .
But Dabo did it anyway because , ultimately , he couldn ’ t help himself .
In a world where coaches and programs need to be constantly packaged and sold to recruits , who are becoming more socially aware and potentially more empowered to become their own money-making brands in the coming world of name , image and likeness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has consistently decried the professionalization of college athletics while shrugging his shoulders about making $ 9 million and saying he ’ s not the one who sets the market .
A few years ago , he ripped Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem and suggested that because America elected a Black president twice , the racism problem in this country may not be that bad .
And this year , his comments on COVID-19 have been bizarre , lacking perspective and just flat-out wrong .
Even if other coaches believed those things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them out loud .
Swinney does , which makes him a hero to a fairly large segment of society and completely insufferable to everyone else .
All the while , he ’ s raking in recruits and wins .
Whatever controversy Dabo ’ s mouth generates has thus far had no impact on his program whatsoever .
`` We all knew what type of man Dabo was , ” defensive end Myles Murphy said .
“ What outsiders said about our coach , it really did n't affect us.
” Five years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swinney would become the biggest lightning rod in college sports .
It was all backslaps and hosannas in those days ; a program on the rise and a coach who made it look like a lot of fun .
But it ’ s different when you get to the top of the sport , and if Swinney wins his third title in the next couple weeks , he ’ ll be bigger than ever .
In a year where he ’ s been embarrassingly wrong off the field , he just might cap @ @ @ @ @ @

Opinion: What happened to Dabo Swinney? Even as Clemson wins, he loses with out-of-touch stances
Show Caption Hide Caption Sugar Bowl preview: Clemson and Ohio State formula for a win SportsPulse: Paul Myerberg breaks down how Clemson and Ohio State can pull out the victory in their rematch in the College Football Playoff. USA TODAY
The night of Dec. 31, 2015 was probably the first time most people with a casual interest in college football had seen much of Dabo Swinney, and for the most part, America loved what it saw.
His program, the Clemson Tigers, was the new kid on the block and would soon play Alabama in a classic national championship game that foreshadowed a decade-defining rivalry. Swinney himself was a welcome fresh face for the sport. In a coaching profession that had become buttoned-up and corporate, Swinney was engaging, folksy and laid-back. Unlike many of his colleagues who treat media obligations like an imposition on their ability to watch the same game film for the 2,000th time that week, Swinney could turn any question into a soliloquy and a story.
The more Clemson won, the bigger Swinney got. And the bigger he got, the more we heard him talk. And talk. And talk. And talk, to the point where we have learned more about his worldview in the last five years than perhaps all of his Division I coaching colleagues combined.
TIME FOR REDEMPTION?: How much has Notre Dame closed the gap? We're about to find out against Alabama
PANDEMIC TAKEAWAYS: Lessons college football is going to take from COVID-19
But the more Swinney has talked, the less he has projected the image of the fun-loving, new-age program builder that defined his rise from coaching nothingness, and the more he has come across as stubborn, ill-informed and out-of-touch.
As Clemson prepares for its sixth consecutive appearance in the Playoff in Friday’s Sugar Bowl semifinal against Ohio State, aiming to win its third national title of this era, Swinney will end 2020 as arguably the sport’s most polarizing figure. On every topic that defined this year in college football from the pandemic to racial inequality to something as picayune as how he voted in the Amway Coaches Poll, Swinney has leaned into controversy and doubled down. And it doesn’t seem to bother him in the least.
“He is going to stand on his beliefs, and he’s certainly not going to be politically correct,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.
Give Swinney this: No matter what he says in a given moment, you know it’s coming from an authentic place. That’s just as true now that he has two championships and a $9 million a year contract as it was a decade ago when it looked as if he might be a short-timer as a college head coach.
The difference now is Swinney is arguably the face of the sport right next to Nick Saban, so more people are paying attention more often. But unlike Saban, who has turned avoiding controversy into an art form, Swinney does not filter anything, even on sensitive topics where he knows it will make him the target of criticism and mockery.
And frankly, in 2020, he’s deserved it. Just look at some of his greatest hits from the year:
-- When the pandemic first hit and everything in college sports was canceled for the foreseeable future, Swinney in April had “zero doubt that we’re going to be playing and the stands are going to be packed” and that “we’re going to rise up and kick this thing in the teeth and get back to our lives.” Why was he so sure? Because we’re America, goshdarnit, and “We’ve stormed the beaches of Normandy. We’ve sent a rover out on Mars and walked on the moon.”
-- In June, when college athletes across the country were protesting racial injustice and discussing bias in policing after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, Swinney came up woefully short when he got a chance to give his own response. “What I know as I approach everything from a perspective of faith is that where there are people, there’s going to be hate, there’s going to be racism and greed and jealousy and crime and so on because we live in a sinful fallen world,” he said in a tone-deaf diversion that registered as a gut-punch to some of his former players.
-- Swinney’s inadequate response prompted the revelation from a former player that assistant coach Danny Pearman had used a racial slur during a 2017 practice. Though the slur was not directed at the player, it was clear the incident had not been addressed at the time by Swinney to the satisfaction of several players who witnessed it. Ultimately, Pearman apologized.
-- A few days later, a photograph surfaced on Twitter of Swinney at a pool wearing a “Football Matters” t-shirt, a slogan that was part of a National Football Foundation campaign. Given the context of racial justice protests happening all over the country, it didn’t go over well on social media. Swinney said “any insinuation that I was trying to mock the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement is just an attack against my character,” which is certainly believable. But for such a well-known person, not understanding how out of place “Football Matters” would be perceived at that time made him look aloof. Later, Swinney joined players in a social justice march and admitted to reporters, "I'm embarrassed to say that there’s things on this campus I didn’t really understand. I knew the basics but not the details. But I’ve learned and I’ve listened."
-- On the morning of Nov. 21, with Clemson already in Tallahassee getting ready to play Florida State, the Seminoles canceled the game because a Tigers’ player who traveled with the team tested positive for COVID-19. It turned into a four-day back-and-forth between the schools, with Swinney ultimately accusing the Seminoles of ducking the game. “This game was not canceled because of COVID,” he said. "COVID was just an excuse to cancel the game.” In the middle of a pandemic season where everyone is having to roll with the punches, it was petty and unnecessary to pick that fight. But Dabo did it anyway because, ultimately, he couldn’t help himself.
In a world where coaches and programs need to be constantly packaged and sold to recruits, who are becoming more socially aware and potentially more empowered to become their own money-making brands in the coming world of name, image and likeness, Swinney is an anomaly.
He has consistently decried the professionalization of college athletics while shrugging his shoulders about making $9 million and saying he’s not the one who sets the market. A few years ago, he ripped Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem and suggested that because America elected a Black president twice, the racism problem in this country may not be that bad. And this year, his comments on COVID-19 have been bizarre, lacking perspective and just flat-out wrong.
Even if other coaches believed those things, most wouldn’t dare say them out loud. Swinney does, which makes him a hero to a fairly large segment of society and completely insufferable to everyone else. All the while, he’s raking in recruits and wins. Whatever controversy Dabo’s mouth generates has thus far had no impact on his program whatsoever.
"We all knew what type of man Dabo was,” defensive end Myles Murphy said. “What outsiders said about our coach, it really didn't affect us.”
Five years ago, it did not seem likely Dabo Swinney would become the biggest lightning rod in college sports. It was all backslaps and hosannas in those days; a program on the rise and a coach who made it look like a lot of fun.
But it’s different when you get to the top of the sport, and if Swinney wins his third title in the next couple weeks, he’ll be bigger than ever. In a year where he’s been embarrassingly wrong off the field, he just might cap his greatest achievement on it.


usatoday--2020-12-30--Macy's is having a massive after-Christmas sale—all the best deals to shop now

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
Now that our holiday-fueled excitement is beginning to subside , we 'll take any excuse for a bit of good cheer—including a great savings event !
Luckily , Macy ’ s is here to put the pep back in your step with its After-Christmas Sale , where you can pick up anything you might have missed under the tree this year .
From designer handbags to Reviewed-approved kitchenware , the retailer is offering some astounding price drops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the juicy details .
Get expert shopping advice delivered to your phone .
Sign up for text message alerts from the deal-hunting nerds at Reviewed .
From now until January 3 , you can find markdowns in nearly every section , ranging from apparel to furniture .
What ’ s more , you can enter coupon code JOY at checkout to nab an extra 20 % off select full-price items or an additional 15 % on some already-discounted goodies .
Every order of $ 25 or more ships free , plus , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , January 31 .
No time to sift through the hundreds of deals available at Macy ’ s right now ?
No sweat : We ’ ve already done the hard work of ferreting out the best of the best , so you can kick back , relax and shop this incredible sale .
Check out our top picks below .
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@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s free and you can unsubscribe at any time .
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

It's the last day to shop Macy's massive after-Christmas sale—what to buy now
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Now that our holiday-fueled excitement is beginning to subside, we'll take any excuse for a bit of good cheer—including a great savings event! Luckily, Macy’s is here to put the pep back in your step with its After-Christmas Sale, where you can pick up anything you might have missed under the tree this year. From designer handbags to Reviewed-approved kitchenware, the retailer is offering some astounding price drops, and we’ve got all the juicy details.
Get expert shopping advice delivered to your phone. Sign up for text message alerts from the deal-hunting nerds at Reviewed.
Through tonight, January 3, only, you can find markdowns in nearly every section, ranging from apparel to furniture. What’s more, you can enter coupon code JOY at checkout to nab an extra 20% off select full-price items or an additional 15% on some already-discounted goodies. Every order of $25 or more ships free, plus, the retailer has extended its return timeframe to Sunday, January 31.
No time to sift through the hundreds of deals available at Macy’s right now? No sweat: We’ve already done the hard work of ferreting out the best of the best, so you can kick back, relax and shop this incredible sale. Check out our top picks below.
Need help finding products? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-12-30--Trump presidential museum will have 'unconventional' story to tell

An impeachment trial .
A once-in-a-century pandemic .
A baseless post-election challenge .
And that 's just one year of the Trump presidency , which is scheduled to conclude at noon on Jan. 20 .
`` This is totally a unique presidency , '' said Wesley Borucki , associate professor of history at Palm Beach Atlantic University .
`` Everything about the Trump presidency has been unconventional , '' said historian Robert Watson at Lynn University .
`` To the point where I 've been joking with some friends that of mine that we are going to have to rewrite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything we said , what every textbook said , was a truism of the office . ''
Ordinarily , a focus of a president 's last months in office is preparing to enshrine their historic legacy in a library and museum .
President Trump , however , has spent the time since his Nov. 3 election loss in a failed attempt to challenge the election results .
Those challenges have gotten nowhere in state and federal courts , have been adamantly disputed by federal and state elections officials and have been dismissed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI director – all who flatly stated President-elect Joe Biden won last month 's election fairly .
More : Photos : President Donald Trump and first lady Melania 's Christmas visits to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach Moreover , it does not look like Trump has ever — as president — tweeted his thoughts , views or plans for a presidential library and museum .
A search for those words and terms on trumptwitterarchive.com came up empty .
But that did n't stop us from asking two Palm Beach County presidential historians to assess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us what might be the narrative in a Donald J. Trump Presidential Library and Museum .
Perhaps one located in Palm Beach County .
More : Briny Breezes resident thinks town could be home to Trump presidential museum For starters , here are four things to know about presidential libraries and museums : • The papers , records and documents of modern U.S. presidents , beginning with those who served early in the 20th century , are stored in presidential libraries and museums that have become much more elaborate and extensive as fundraising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Archives ' Presidential Library System is comprised of 14 presidential libraries from Presidents Herbert Hoover through Barack Obama .
• The post-Watergate Presidential Records Act granted legal possession of presidential papers , records and documents to the public .
Before then , those items were considered property of the president , and often were sold off , gifted or destroyed .
Today , they are public property and in the custodial hands of the National Archives and Records Administration .
• If Trump locates his presidential museum in Florida , it wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West , the Harry S. Truman Little White House museum is a historic site .
Truman made 11 trips to Key West , and even signed legislation creating Everglades National Park on one of his visits .
• But no U.S. president made Florida their residence , as Trump has .
As such local speculation is his museum and library could be based here in a state he won twice , visited dozens of times as president and where he remains popular , especially among Republicans .
Both Borucki and Watson say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museum in Palm Beach County – will be unlike any in modern presidencies .
Borucki , who is writing a biography of Trump slated for 2022 , has said the historic moments during visits here are pieces of a larger mosaic that will go down as a consequential presidency .
He said Trump 's political career will ultimately result in a realignment of American politics that may redefine ideological lines more focused on globalist versus nationalist and populist versus establishment dichotomies .
`` We 've been talking about differences between liberals and conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long , '' he said .
`` And every so often we have a realignment in American history .
We 've been kind of overdue for one . ''
Along with that , Borucki said , the use of Twitter and social media to `` go over the media 's heads '' to speak to his base reconfigured presidential communications .
`` A lot of people were won over by his fighting spirit and that comes out in the rallies , too , '' he said .
He also said the emphasis on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , Xi Jinping , who Trump hosted at a Mar-a-Lago summit in April 2017 , and the rewrite of the North American trade pact , as well Middle East peace efforts , will be hallmarks of his legacy .
So will the nominations of three Supreme Court justices and the reshaping of the federal bench , Borucki said .
`` You 're going to see the effects of that for decades , '' he said .
`` When you think about the legacy of the Trump presidency , there are a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watson said previous former presidents have built their libraries in partnership with the NARA .
But Watson , who co-founded a Truman Little White House symposium , said he fears the relationship between Trump and the federal records administration `` would be testy at best , if non-existent '' as have been the president 's dealings with government agencies .
More : Watchdogs , scholars say Trump breaking law by ripping up papers Worse , Watson said he is concerned a Trump museum would become `` a monument to himself . ''
Rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the past four years , Watson said , Trump will want his version — and only his view — of events , .
Watson , who is on the board of the foundation that raises money for the Truman Little White House , said he has visited almost all the presidential libraries .
While all have `` a degree of celebratory '' feel to their exhibits , he said the the facilities are `` dedicated '' to a fair telling of history and preserving `` access to records . ''
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me is how honest and forthright they are , '' he said of the presidential museums .
`` These libraries show the president 's legacy with all of its warts and pimples . ''
Watson said an example of presidentimuseum story telling he is very familiar with is Truman 's in Independence , Mo .
The museum exhibits include a pro and con debate on whether Truman should have authorized the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II .
Watson is concerned that Trump will use the narrative in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` reinvented , over-flattering '' portrayal of his leadership and the events that took place .
For instance , in foreign policy , he fears Trump will present a `` dark '' picture of world affairs to claim achievement in ending the Paris climate accord , the Iran nuclear deal , and to justify the badgering of allies and strategic international alliances .
`` One worries that this museum will present a very dark and inaccurate portrayal of the world and will go back to the ugliest aspects of nationalism with America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Ditto for domestic policy , from the effort to build a border wall to the trade war to resurrect U.S. manufacturing to `` bringing back coal '' as part of an energy strategy .
The hyperbole , he said , may even occlude legitimate milestones , from as criminal justice reform to Operation Warp Speed that ushered a coronavirus vaccine '' With Trump you automatically wonder whether what is being put in the library is truthful , '' he said .
`` We have alternative facts `` We 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The damaging part of this is that presidential museums are more than tourist attractions and political meccas for the partisan faithful .
They are sentinels of history .
`` That could have definite ramifications as the people who visit his library probably would not visit the Truman or the Reagan or the Obama libraries , '' he said .
`` That would be a monument to nationalism and to an inaccurate portrayal of the global order .
That is worrisome at best . ''

How a Trump presidential library will have an 'unconventional' story to tell
An impeachment trial. A once-in-a-century pandemic. A baseless post-election challenge. And that's just one year of the Trump presidency, which is scheduled to conclude at noon on Jan. 20.
"This is totally a unique presidency," said Wesley Borucki, associate professor of history at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
"Everything about the Trump presidency has been unconventional," said historian Robert Watson at Lynn University. "To the point where I've been joking with some friends of mine that we are going to have to rewrite all the textbooks because he has violated everything we said, what every textbook said, was a truism of the office."
Ordinarily, a focus of a president's last months in office is preparing to enshrine their historic legacy in a library and museum.
President Donald Trump, however, has spent the time since his Nov. 3 loss in a failed attempt to challenge the election results. His claims have gotten nowhere in state and federal courts, have been adamantly disputed by federal and state elections officials and have been dismissed by his former attorney general and his current FBI director — all who flatly stated President-elect Joe Biden won last month's election fairly.
What story would a Trump library tell?
Moreover, it does not look like Trump has ever — as president — tweeted his thoughts, views or plans for a presidential library and museum. A search for those words and terms on trumptwitterarchive.com came up empty.
But that didn't stop the Palm Beach Post from asking two Palm Beach County presidential historians to assess the Trump legacy — and to tell us what the narrative in a Donald J. Trump Presidential Library and Museum might be.
Post-presidency at Mar-a-Lago: What Trump can expect when he leaves the White House
For starters, here are four things to know about presidential libraries and museums:
The papers, records and documents of modern U.S. presidents, beginning with those who served early in the 20th century, are stored in presidential libraries and museums that have become much more elaborate and extensive as fundraising and public interest has grown. The National Archives' Presidential Library System is comprised of 14 presidential libraries from Presidents Herbert Hoover through Barack Obama.
The post-Watergate Presidential Records Act granted legal possession of presidential papers, records and documents to the public. Before then, those items were considered property of the president, and often were sold off, gifted or destroyed. Today, they are public property and in the custodial hands of the National Archives and Records Administration.
If Trump locates his presidential museum in Florida, it won't be the first. In Key West, the Harry S. Truman Little White House museum is a historic site. Truman made 11 trips to Key West, and even signed legislation creating Everglades National Park on one of his visits.
But no U.S. president made Florida their residence, as Trump has. As such, local speculation is his museum and library could be based here in a state he won twice, visited dozens of times as president and where he remains popular, especially among Republicans.
Both Borucki and Watson say the narrative will be unlike any in modern presidencies.
Borucki, who is writing a biography of Trump slated for 2022, has said the historic moments during visits to Florida are pieces of a larger mosaic that will go down as a consequential presidency.
He said Trump's political career will ultimately result in a realignment of American politics that may redefine ideological lines more focused on globalist versus nationalist and populist versus establishment dichotomies.
"We've been talking about differences between liberals and conservatives, between Republicans and Democrats for so long," he said. "And every so often we have a realignment in American history. We've been kind of overdue for one."
Along with that, Borucki said, the use of Twitter and social media to "go over the media's heads" to speak to his base reconfigured presidential communications.
"A lot of people were won over by his fighting spirit, and that comes out in the rallies, too," he said.
Exclusive: 50% of Americans say Trump will be seen as 'failed' president
He also said the tariff war with China and its president, Xi Jinping, whom Trump hosted at a Mar-a-Lago summit in April 2017, and the rewrite of the North American trade pact, as well Middle East peace efforts, will be hallmarks of his legacy.
So will the nominations of three Supreme Court justices and the reshaping of the federal bench, Borucki said.
"You're going to see the effects of that for decades," he said. "When you think about the legacy of the Trump presidency, there are a number of moments that are significant."
A dispassionate telling of the Trump presidency or 'alternative facts'?
Watson said previous former presidents have built their libraries in partnership with the NARA. But Watson, who co-founded a Truman Little White House symposium, said he fears the relationship between Trump and the federal records administration "would be testy at best, if nonexistent" as have been the president's dealings with government agencies.
Worse, Watson said he is concerned a Trump museum would become "a monument to himself." Rather than a dispassionate telling of the story of the past four years, Watson said, Trump will want his version — and only his view — of events.
What watchdogs? Trump leaves office with inspector general jobs vacant
Watson, who is on the board of the foundation that raises money for the Truman Little White House, said he has visited almost all the presidential libraries. While all have "a degree of celebratory" feel to their exhibits, he said, the facilities are "dedicated" to a fair telling of history and preserving "access to records."
"The thing that has always been remarkable to me is how honest and forthright they are," he said of the presidential museums. "These libraries show the president's legacy with all of its warts and pimples."
Watson said an example of presidential museum storytelling he is very familiar with is Truman's in Independence, Missouri. The museum exhibits include a pro and con debate on whether Truman should have authorized the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II.
Watson is concerned that Trump will use the narrative in his library to misrepresent his legacy with a "reinvented, over-flattering" portrayal of his leadership and the events that took place.
For instance, in foreign policy, he fears Trump will present a "dark" picture of world affairs to claim achievement in ending the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal, and to justify the badgering of allies and strategic international alliances.
"One worries that this museum will present a very dark and inaccurate portrayal of the world and will go back to the ugliest aspects of nationalism with America at the center, America first," he said.
Year of tumult in politics: How 2020 creates 'a big fork in the road'
Ditto for domestic policy, from the effort to build a border wall to the trade war to resurrect U.S. manufacturing to "bringing back coal" as part of an energy strategy.
The hyperbole, he said, may even occlude legitimate milestones, from criminal justice reform to the "Operation Warp Speed" that ushered a coronavirus vaccine.
"With Trump, you automatically wonder whether what is being put in the library is truthful," he said. "We have alternative facts. We've had a war on the truth."
The damaging part of this is that presidential museums are more than tourist attractions and political meccas for the partisan faithful. They are sentinels of history.
"That could have definite ramifications, as the people who visit his library probably would not visit the Truman or the Reagan or the Obama libraries," he said. "That would be a monument to nationalism and to an inaccurate portrayal of the global order. That is worrisome at best."


usatoday--2020-12-29--NFL linebacker mentors teen flag football player

Adriana 's football skills grabbed the attention of the NFL .
Now she 's reviewing game tape with Buccaneers linebacker @ @ @

NFL linebacker mentors teen flag football player
Adriana's football skills grabbed the attention of the NFL. Now she's reviewing game tape with Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett.
Sportskind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-30--This is all that is left of a Nashville shop after Christmas Day bombing

This is all that is left of a Nashville shop after Christmas Day bombing Nashville Ink Tattoo said their `` @ @ @ @ @ the Christmas Day bombing destroyed the store .

Nashville bombing destroys tattoo parlor on Christmas Day
Nashville Ink Tattoo said their "team is well" after the Christmas Day bombing destroyed the store.
USA TODAY, Storyful


usatoday--2020-12-29--Macy's is having a massive after-Christmas sale—all the best deals to shop now


usatoday--2020-12-30--Opinion: Duke women's basketball players do the right thing by canceling season

Something awe-inspiring but rather strange happened over the holiday weekend at Duke .
The Blue Devil women ’ s basketball players decided they were done listening to the big-time college sports leaders who want student-athletes to keep playing sports during the pandemic .
They were done acting as guinea pigs .
They were done serving as our unpaid COVID-19 entertainment .
They were done .
Duke ’ s chief communications officer , not an athletic department spokesperson , announced the decision in a Christmas Day statement .
`` The student-athletes on the Duke women ’ s basketball team have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season due to safety concerns , ” said Michael Schoenfeld , who also is the school ’ s vice president for public affairs and government relations .
“ We support their decision , as we have supported the choices made by all student-athletes at Duke during this unprecedented time .
Duke will maintain our current schedule of competition in other sports and will continue to observe our rigorous health and safety protocols , which include daily testing for all student-athletes and are based on guidance from leading medical experts.
” That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only person anyone really wanted to hear from that day , or in the days that have followed , is the head coach , Kara Lawson .
She ’ s not just any old coach .
Lawson is a rock star , an Olympic gold medalist , former WNBA all-star and ESPN and Washington Wizards analyst who was an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics before returning to the women ’ s game this year to coach Duke .
On December 9 , after a 73-49 loss to Louisville , she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be playing right now.
” She hasn ’ t said a word publicly since .
In fact , she has disappeared completely from view .
Her cell phone doesn ’ t ring ; rather , a recording announces : “ The person you are trying to reach is not accepting calls at this time .
Please try your call again later.
” This is weird .
Lawson , who has been a member of the media for years , is off the grid at the exact moment we would most like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Word at Duke is she might be with family , while school officials have nothing else to say on the record about any of this .
We know they “ support ” the players ’ decision .
So why not hold a news conference to say how proud they are of their student-athletes for taking matters into their own hands ?
Why not produce Lawson as a shining example of a coach doing the right thing by her players ?
And why not produce the student-athletes themselves , who did what we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated athletes would love to do and end this ridiculous charade of trying to play their sport during the pandemic ?
Perhaps Duke doesn ’ t want to ruffle any ACC feathers as the rest of the league plays on .
Perhaps Duke doesn ’ t want to be , well , Duke , so the less attention on their student-athletes ’ intelligent decision the better .
But in taking control of their lives , and their health , and their responsibility to their community , these athletes should be celebrated .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns out that the Louisville game was the last one Duke played , finishing with a 3-1 record .
Two days later , Louisville announced it was pausing team activities because of positive COVID tests .
The next day , the ACC postponed Duke ’ s game with Miami because the Blue Devils were going through contact tracing procedures after playing Louisville .
Four days later , on Dec. 16 , Duke paused team activities when two staff members tested positive , and one of the players later tested positive as well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Duke ’ s players began requesting that the entire ACC start daily COVID testing , just as Duke does , but the ACC ’ s Medical Advisory Group calls for basketball teams to be tested just three days a week .
Since the decision to end the season , information has been scarce and sporadic .
The mother of a Duke player told Raleigh-Durham television station WTVD that she ’ s proud of what the team did .
`` When they were talking to me about COVID they were talking about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other players , '' said Michelle Goodchild , the mother of junior guard Miela Goodchild .
`` They are n't just looking at the student-athletes .
They 've got a bigger vision .
They 're looking at how to protect Durham , the greater Duke community and beyond.
” Meanwhile , Duke senior center Jade Williams took on critics of her team ’ s decision on Twitter .
“ I ’ m amazed at people , ” she wrote .
“ To clarify…we together as a team , decided to opt out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic STILL because not enough people are taking it serious .
Basketball players are not just entertainment .
There shouldn ’ t be casual attitudes about COVID now a year in.
” One would hope that big-time college sports officials would have the courage to say such things .
Since they don ’ t , we ’ re fortunate to have the 18-to-22-year-olds to do it for them .

Opinion: Duke women's basketball players do the right thing by canceling season
Show Caption Hide Caption The changes we’ve seen in professional sports in the past year might be here to stay Sports Pulse: From no fans in the stands to programs being cut, what changes in the sports world are here to stay SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Something awe-inspiring but rather strange happened over the holiday weekend at Duke. The Blue Devil women’s basketball players decided they were done listening to the big-time college sports leaders who want student-athletes to keep playing sports during the pandemic. They were done acting as guinea pigs. They were done serving as our unpaid COVID-19 entertainment.
They were done.
Duke’s chief communications officer, not an athletic department spokesperson, announced the decision in a Christmas Day statement.
"The student-athletes on the Duke women’s basketball team have made the difficult decision to conclude their current season due to safety concerns,” said Michael Schoenfeld, who also is the school’s vice president for public affairs and government relations. “We support their decision, as we have supported the choices made by all student-athletes at Duke during this unprecedented time. Duke will maintain our current schedule of competition in other sports and will continue to observe our rigorous health and safety protocols, which include daily testing for all student-athletes and are based on guidance from leading medical experts.”
That’s all well and good, but the only person anyone really wanted to hear from that day, or in the days that have followed, is the head coach, Kara Lawson. She’s not just any old coach. Lawson is a rock star, an Olympic gold medalist, former WNBA all-star and ESPN and Washington Wizards analyst who was an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics before returning to the women’s game this year to coach Duke.
On December 9, after a 73-49 loss to Louisville, she said, “I don’t think we should be playing right now.”
She hasn’t said a word publicly since. In fact, she has disappeared completely from view. Her cell phone doesn’t ring; rather, a recording announces: “The person you are trying to reach is not accepting calls at this time. Please try your call again later.”
This is weird. Lawson, who has been a member of the media for years, is off the grid at the exact moment we would most like to hear what she has to say. Word at Duke is she might be with family, while school officials have nothing else to say on the record about any of this.
We know they “support” the players’ decision. So why not hold a news conference to say how proud they are of their student-athletes for taking matters into their own hands? Why not produce Lawson as a shining example of a coach doing the right thing by her players? And why not produce the student-athletes themselves, who did what we can only imagine so many other beleaguered and isolated athletes would love to do and end this ridiculous charade of trying to play their sport during the pandemic?
Perhaps Duke doesn’t want to ruffle any ACC feathers as the rest of the league plays on. Perhaps Duke doesn’t want to be, well, Duke, so the less attention on their student-athletes’ intelligent decision the better. But in taking control of their lives, and their health, and their responsibility to their community, these athletes should be celebrated. Instead, there is only silence.
It turns out that the Louisville game was the last one Duke played, finishing with a 3-1 record. Two days later, Louisville announced it was pausing team activities because of positive COVID tests. The next day, the ACC postponed Duke’s game with Miami because the Blue Devils were going through contact tracing procedures after playing Louisville. Four days later, on Dec. 16, Duke paused team activities when two staff members tested positive, and one of the players later tested positive as well, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.
Duke’s players began requesting that the entire ACC start daily COVID testing, just as Duke does, but the ACC’s Medical Advisory Group calls for basketball teams to be tested just three days a week.
Since the decision to end the season, information has been scarce and sporadic. The mother of a Duke player told Raleigh-Durham television station WTVD that she’s proud of what the team did.
"When they were talking to me about COVID they were talking about a social responsibility for your country, for other players," said Michelle Goodchild, the mother of junior guard Miela Goodchild. "They aren't just looking at the student-athletes. They've got a bigger vision. They're looking at how to protect Durham, the greater Duke community and beyond.”
Meanwhile, Duke senior center Jade Williams took on critics of her team’s decision on Twitter.
“I’m amazed at people,” she wrote. “To clarify…we together as a team, decided to opt out of our season. We are in a pandemic STILL because not enough people are taking it serious. Basketball players are not just entertainment. There shouldn’t be casual attitudes about COVID now a year in.”
One would hope that big-time college sports officials would have the courage to say such things. Since they don’t, we’re fortunate to have the 18-to-22-year-olds to do it for them.