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U.S. President Donald Trump is soliciting advice on ending the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic from commissioners and team owners in major North American sports leagues.
"We look forward to speaking with many industry leaders, seeking their input on how we can return to what was until very recently the greatest economy anywhere in the world," Trump said during a press conference Tuesday evening.
Trump named NBA commissioner Adam Silver, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman among those he's consulting, along with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
Trump also named UFC president Dana White, WWE CEO Vince McMahon, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, LPGA commissioner Michael Whan, USTA chairman Patrick Galbraith, MLS commissioner Don Garber, and NASCAR CEO Lesa Kennedy during a Tuesday press conference.
President Trump: "We have to get our sports back. I'm tired of watching baseball games that are 14 years old." pic.twitter.com/FSUKLHI5U0
— The Hill (@thehill) April 14, 2020
Each of the aforementioned bodies has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with the NBA and NHL halting play midseason and MLB suspending operations during spring training.
The NFL has implemented changes for its offseason operations, but Trump reportedly told sports commissioners last week that the football season should get underway as scheduled. California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated shortly after that report surfaced that he doesn't expect the NFL season to begin on time with fans in attendance for games in his state, according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.
Trump also listed a score of presidents and CEOs from the tech, defense, and agricultural sectors, among others.
