Trump hosts Lionel Messi, Inter Miami at White House
Lionel Messi accompanied his team Inter Miami to the White House as the MLS champs visit President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump is assembling a presidential roundtable for Friday, March 6, where a list of prominent college sports figures will convene to speak on the top issues in college athletics.
More than three-dozen prominent figures are scheduled to attend, including the commissioners of the Power Four conferences, NCAA president Charlie Baker, current and former college athletic directors, plus big names like Tiger Woods and Nick Saban.
The Saving College Sports Roundtable will discuss solutions to college sports from a legislative perspective amid sports’ constant evolution, especially with name, image and likeness professionalizing student-athletes.
Yahoo! Sports reports Trump will serve as chair of the roundtable, alongside vice chair Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, and Randy Levine, New York Yankees president.
Pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow were scheduled to attend, but will not be there, per Yahoo! Sports.
Here’s a look at the reported names invited or attending the Saving College Sports Roundtable, according to the report:
Who’s attending Trump’s college sports roundtable?
Here’s a look at who’s potentially joining Trump at the Saving College Sports Roundtable on March 6, per multiple reports:
Val Ackerman, Big East commissionerCharlie Baker, NCAA presidentPete Bevacqua, Notre Dame athletic directorDavid Blitzer, managing partner of New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia 76ersMack Brown, former Texas/North Carolina coachCody Campbell, Texas Tech donor and board memberGerry Cardinale, sports asset managerJoe Castiglione, former Oklahoma athletic directorJim Clements, former Clemson, West Virginia presidentTed Cruz, U.S Senator (Texas)John Currie, Wake Forest athletic directorRon DeSantis, Florida governorScott Dolson, Indiana athletic directorBoris Epsthyen, President Trump advisorMarc Ganis, sports business expertDoug Girod, Kansas chancellorJeff Gold, Nebraska presidentJonathan Kraft, New England Patriots presidentLou Lamoriello, former New York Islanders general managerUrban Meyer, former Florida/Ohio State coachGloria Nevarez, Mountain West commissionerTim Pernetti, American Conference commissionerTony Petitti, Big Ten commissionerJim Phillips, ACC commissionerJimmy Pitaro, ESPNDonde Plowman, Tennessee chancellorJamie Pollard, Iowa State athletic directorCondolezza Rice, former secretary of stateNick Saban, former Alabama coachGreg Sankey, SEC commissionerEric Schmitt, U.S. Senator (Missouri)Eric Shanks, Fox Sports CEOAdam Silver, NBA commissionerJack Swarbrick, former Notre Dame athletic directorClay Travis, OutKickCharlie Ward, former Heisman Trophy winnerTiger Woods, pro golferBrett Yormark, Big 12 commissionerNo current NCAA athletes invited to Trump college sports roundtable
Noticeably absent from the invitees list are current college athletes, something Athletes.org took issue with and penned a letter asking, “How can decisions about the future of college athletics be made without the voices of the athletes themselves?”
Temple football player Khalil Poteat added:
“We deserve a seat at the table. We as athletes are the reason the stands are filled, logos are worn and the game thrives the way it does… It is unfair and unfaithful to hold a discussion without the main attraction in mind. We deserve a say, just like the executives and leaders, in sports and in our futures. I believe that we, as athletes at every level, deserve to be at the table and fight for our best interest. We want college sports to thrive just like everyone else in the room. So let’s bond together to generate the best outcome for all.”