If you’re tired of watching endless sports reruns while athletes and sports personnel comply with government orders and public health guidelines that are extremely vital to societal well-being— you’ve got an advocate in the White House.
“We have to get our sports back. I’m tired of watching baseball games that are 14 years old,” said President Trump during his Tuesday coronavirus press conference. The MLB and NBA suspended their seasons in March to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, while the NFL is broadcasting its draft remotely and converting its typical player regimens into a virtual program.
Trump listed off the names of sports industry leaders he was consulting in his drive to reopen the American economy, including commissioners Adam Silver (NBA), Rob Manfred (MLB), Roger Goodell (NFL), and longtime WWE CEO: “the great Vince McMahon.”
Right now, there are no concrete plans to push sporting events through the pandemic, as public health officials continue urging social distancing measures that make the logistics of relaunching live sports improbable, and the ethics dubious.
However, both the MLB and NBA have reportedly discussed relaunches that could bring their respective sports back during the pandemic, albeit without fans, and hopefully push the Endy Chavez game off the president’s DVR.
Also, though the WWE does not provide respirators, medicine, public transit or groceries, Florida governor Ron DeSantis still designated the promotion an essential service, opening the door for live events closed to the public. (Never doubt the greatness of Vincent K. McMahon.)
No matter how bothered he is by the lack of live competition, Trump apparently hasn’t let the tyranny of Ewing-era Knicks highlights and Yankees-Sox battles from the ’70s distract him from leading the country through a pandemic that has already seen over 25,000 reported casualties.
“But I haven’t actually had too much time to watch,” said Trump during his briefing. “I would say maybe I watch one batter, then I get back to work.”
