“Of Course That Can’t Come”: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Not in Agreement With US President Donald Trump

The NBA was the first league to get suspended on March 11 after Rudy Gobert and his fellow teammate was tested positive for COVID-19. Post this, various sports leagues took steps to come on the same lines for ‘health’ and ‘safety’. Recently on 4th April, Donald Trump held a 45-minute conference call with 11 sports commissioners of different leagues across the country. NBA commissioner, Adam Silver talked on Twitter Live about the same, in an interview with TNT broadcaster Ernie Johnson.

Adam Silver talks in length about the call with Trump

“It was an old-school conference call,” is what Silver said. “No video.” Adam Silver described the conference call as ‘conventional’ and moreover about how they had a call-in number and a participant number for security purposes.

Trump called himself a ‘passionate sports fan’ initially on call and how he has followed many live matches. He added to say, “I’d love to hear from all of you.” 

All the commissioners took turns to put forward the status of their league. Adam Silver mentioned the ‘NBA Together’ initiative and discussed it in detail. ‘NBA Together’ is a global community and social engagement campaign that aims to support, engage, educate and inspire youth, families, and fans in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Silver is not in favor of compromising safety

Also, Trump brought the aspect of the return of sports leagues by late summer. He discussed the economic and social benefits of bringing back sports to the world. To this, Adam Silver said in the interview, “I know all the leagues share this view that we’d love to be part of the movement to restart the economy,” he added, “Of course that can’t come in a way that would compromise safety.”

“Again, all done for good reason right now. Health and safety have to come before any commercial interests. It’s a balance but even in terms of (the) psychological impacts of isolating people.  I think there’s no doubt at this point that as a country we are following the right course.” 

According to a report by ESPN, during the call, SIlver mentioned the need for an ‘all clear’ from the health sector before sporting events resume. As far as SIlver is concerned, he has often expressed his interest in naming an ‘NBA champion’ this season. But there are also talks about no comeback of the entire league keeping in mind the declining situation all over the world. Let’s see what happens next?