Air Force Academy cancels athletic events due to government shutdown

PHOENIX — The U.S. government shutdown is affecting more than just taxpayers and politicians.

Now, it’s impacting the athletics department at the United States Air Force Academy.

The Air Force Academy canceled all sports events on Saturday, including the men’s and women’s basketball games at Fresno State.

Other canceled events include the men’s and women’s swimming competition at UNLV, men’s hockey against Sacred Heart and men’s gymnastics against Oklahoma.

The Air Force Academy’s rifle team was also scheduled to compete against Texas Christian University and the Coast Guard was slated to play Ohio State on Saturday, but both events were canceled.

The government shutdown has also forced a blackout to the American Forces Network, which broadcasts American radio and television programming in Europe and other locations outside of the nation.

The network, which is run by the U.S. Department of Defense, was planning on broadcasting NFL conference playoff games scheduled for Sunday — Minnesota vs. Philadelphia and New England vs. Jacksonville — on both TV and radio for soldiers overseas.

The notice of the blackout sparked angry reactions from viewers, with several noting the timing could not be worse. However, as of Saturday, the NFL was working on a resolution to make the games available to the troops.

The NFL is working working on alternatives for service members in the event Armed Forces Network is not operational before the start of tomorrow’s championship games

— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) January 21, 2018

One alternative already announced by the NFL was at USO Center’s overseas, as the NFL is offering the games via NFL Game Pass for free.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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