Pres Trump talks with US pro sports leaders to discuss virus

President Donald Trump talked to many U.S. pro sports leaders about
the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, saying he was looking
forward to the resumption of competitions “as soon as we can.”

“I want fans back in the arenas,” Trump said later in a briefing at
the White House. “I think it’s … whenever we’re ready. As soon as
we can, obviously. And the fans want to be back, too. They want to
see basketball and baseball and football and hockey. They want to
see their sports. They want to go out onto the golf courses and
breathe nice, clean, beautiful fresh air.”

A person with direct knowledge of the call said Trump believes the
NFL season – scheduled to begin Sept. 10 – will start on time with
fans in seats. But that seemed too optimistic for California Gov.
Gavin Newsom, who was asked if he thought the NFL season would
start on time.

“I’m not anticipating that happening in this state,” Newsom said.

The NBA, NHL, NFL and Major League Baseball were all represented by
their commissioners – Adam Silver, Gary Bettman, Roger Goodell and
Rob Manfred, respectively. None of those leagues released public
comment.

A second person with knowledge of the call said some commissioners,
Silver included, stressed to Trump that they are working on
multiple season-resumption plans but cautioned nothing can move
forward without clearance from public health officials. The people
spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because no discussion from
the call was to be revealed publicly.

Others on the call included PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, LPGA
Tour Commissioner Mike Whan, Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner
Roger Penske, UFC President Dana White, World Wrestling
Entertainment owner Vince McMahon, MLS Commissioner Don Garber,
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert and Breeders’ Cup President Drew
Fleming.

National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Lisa Baird was not
included in the call, and that league was not pleased. “As a leader
in women’s professional sports, the NWSL would welcome the chance
to participate in any future discussions between the top sports
leagues in the U.S. and the White House,” the league said.

Trump addressed Little League players on Saturday, tweeting to tell
them, “hang in there! We will get you back out on the fields, and
know that you will be playing baseball soon. We will get through
this together, and bats will be swinging before you know it.”

Trump said the need for social distancing is affecting his
14-year-old son, Barron. The president described his son as a good
athlete and soccer fan.

“We have to get back,” Trump said. “We have to get back. Remember
that. We have to get back and we have to get back soon.”

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AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer, AP Pro Football Writer Rob
Maaddi, AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson and AP Baseball Writers Ronald
Blum and Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.

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