NBA

Donald Trump says NBA player activism will 'destroy basketball'

President Donald Trump said on Friday that what he viewed as political activity by the National Basketball Association would destroy the sport.

Players walked out on playoff games in wake of police shooting of Jacob Blake in U.S.

The Black Lives Matter logo is seen on an empty court at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex, where the NBA is playing out its season. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump said on Friday that what he viewed as political activity by the National Basketball Association would destroy the sport.

"I think what they're doing to the NBA in particular is gonna destroy basketball," Trump told reporters on Air Force One. He said it would be "threatening" to the NBA.

NBA players halted play for three days in a protest sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man in Kenosha, Wis.

The league and players association said on Friday that playoffs would resume on Saturday in a deal that includes increased access to voting in the U.S. presidential election.

Trump said people did not want to be confronted with politics when watching sports.

"It's very bad for the NBA, and it's gonna prove to be very bad for football," he said.

WATCH | Powerful pause across sports:

A powerful pause for the sporting world

4 years ago
Duration 2:48
Devin Heroux of CBC Sports reflects on a week in sports that saw a united show of solidarity across professional leagues in support of racial justice.

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