Washington (dpa) - US President Donald Trump hopes that game operations in the major American leagues will resume soon. Trump said after a conference call with the league leaders and other professionals in Washington.
"I want the fans back in the arenas. As soon as we're ready," Trump said afterwards. "I can't give you a date, but I think it will be sooner rather than later," added the US president.
The game operations in the basketball league NBA and the ice hockey league NHL is currently interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, the season start of the baseball league MLB and the soccer league MLS has been postponed. Trump said in the conference call that he thought the Football League NFL could start its new season in September as usual, the US broadcaster ESPN reported. NFL chief Roger Goodell had also taken part in the conversation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom currently can't imagine a season kick-off in American football on September 10: "I don't see this happening in this state," Newsom said, according to the AP news agency.
The leagues reportedly presented several scenarios at the conference for when to start operating. However, there was no official information. "We want to come back soon, very soon," said Trump.
Video with Trump statements
ESPN report