WWE’s Vince McMahon and the UFC’s Dana White will be among the industry leaders speaking with Donald Trump as the United States attempts to begin reopening its economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
At a press briefing today, Trump announced that McMahon and White are included in his sports “Great American Economic Revival Industry Group.” Here’s the list of sports leaders who were announced as part of the group:
MLB – Rob Manfred
NFL – Roger Goodell
UFC – Dana White
PGA – Jay Monahan
LPGA – Mike Whan
USTA – Patrick Galbraith
MLS – Don Garber
WWE – Vince McMahon
NASCAR – Lesa Kennedy
NHL – Gary Bettman
New England Patriots – Bob Kraft
Dallas Cowboys – Jerry Jones
Dallas Mavericks – Mark Cuban
WNBA – Cathy Engelbert
NWSL – Lisa Baird
Other Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups feature leaders from the agriculture, banking, construction/labor/workforce, defense, energy, financial services, food and beverage, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate, retail, tech, telecommunications, and transportation sectors. There’s also a group for thought leaders.
“Today, President Donald J. Trump announced many of the esteemed executives, economists, scholars, and industry leaders who together will form various Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups,” the White House announced in a press release. “These bipartisan groups of American leaders will work together with the White House to chart the path forward toward a future of unparalleled American prosperity. The health and wealth of America is the primary goal, and these groups will produce a more independent, self-sufficient, and resilient Nation.”
McMahon and White were also among the sports executives who were part of a conference call with Trump earlier this month.
After taping shows in advance, WWE has resumed live television episodes from Orlando, Florida. Florida added “Employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience — including any athletes, entertainers, production team, executive team, media team and any others necessary to facilitate including services supporting such production — only if the location is closed to the general public” to their list of essential services last Thursday.
The UFC is eyeing a return to running shows on May 9.
White issued a statement to Variety saying the UFC plans on producing fights out of its APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada: “We built the APEX facility next door just in time to save the day from this pandemic. Live fights will be produced out of there starting next month and for the foreseeable future.”