President Trump said in a meeting with major league sports commissioners that he wants the NFL and other sports to start up with fans by the fall.
In the Saturday conference call, Trump told the NFL they should start on time, sources told ESPN. The president said he wants stadiums and arenas to be able to have fans again by either August or September.
The call included 12 different sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, PGA Tour, MLB, and NHL. Trump brought up the potential for sports leagues to be able to get tax credits for fans on tickets and concessions.
Donald Trump also told commissioners that he hopes to have fans back in stadiums and arenas by August and September, sources said, though it is currently unclear if medical experts find that to be a realistic timeline amid the current coronavirus pandemic. https://t.co/EFqDryGlTQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 4, 2020
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on the call that he wants the NBA to take the lead on starting up the economy again if health officials give an all-clear.
The NBA initially suspended its season in early March after a player tested positive for the coronavirus. Since then, the league has been looking for opportunities to hold its playoffs, but it might be forced to cancel the rest of its season.
During his daily press conference Saturday, Trump affirmed he would like sports leagues to be able to start up again soon. “I can’t tell you a date, but I think it’s going to be sooner rather than later,” the president said. “And, you know, we’re not going to have to have separation for the rest of our times on the planet. We need it for this period of time, but eventually people are going to be able to occupy those seats in arenas next to each other like we have for all of my life and all of your life.”
