Donald Trump is very unhappy that the upcoming U.S. Presidential debates have been scheduled for dates that also happen to coincide with NFL games. He’s unhappy with opponent Hillary Clinton but the truth is that both entities scheduled those events long ago.
The first debate is scheduled for September 26 and will go head-to-head with a Monday Night Football showdown between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. Then, the October 9 debate will be up against a Sunday Night Football game between the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers.
A debate between the Vice-President candidates is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4 and a third debate between Trump and Clinton will be held on Wednesday, October 19. All debates will be televised live between 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET.
There are many other sports going on between September and the election in November, so surely there are other conflicts out there. Perhaps none of them will draw away the kind of interest and audience that the NFL can, but it’s possible that voters in certain battleground states (Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin) will have their attention span put to the test.
National Basketball Association
The regular season will begin on October 25, 2016. No conflicts.
National Hockey League
Monday, September 26: No conflicts.
Tuesday, October 4: No conflicts.
Sunday, October 9: No conflicts.
Wednesday, October 19: Two games on the docket, but only one involving American teams. The Detroit Red Wings takes on the New York Rangers starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Major League Baseball
Monday, September 26: A pretty full day for MLB with ten games happening at some point during the debate. Battleground state teams in play include the Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Tuesday, October 4: Good timing as the regular season will have ended and the playoffs won’t begin until Thursday (unless there needs to be a play-in game, which would be played Wednesday).
Sunday, October 9: Game One of the NLDS and Game Two of the ALDS are both scheduled and we can assume one of them will be on during the debate.
Wednesday, October 19: Game Three of the ALCS is scheduled for today and will likely coincide with the debate.
NCAA Football (FBS)
Monday, September 26: No conflict.
Tuesday, October 4: No conflict.
Sunday, October 9: No conflict.
Wednesday, October 19: No conflict.
Major League Soccer
Monday, September 26: No conflicts.
Tuesday, October 4: No conflicts
Sunday, October 9: No conflicts
Wednesday, October 19: There are two 2016/17 CONCACAF Champions League games that evening involving MLS teams. Sporting Kansas City plays Central FC while the Portland Timbers take on Deportivo Saprissa.
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