President Donald Trump mentioned Thursday that he’s planning to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on Monday at Madison Square Garden.
If he does attend, he’d be the primary sitting US president to watch an NBA Finals recreation in individual.
“The answer is yes,” Trump mentioned when requested if he was attending the sport subsequent week.
“He’s invited me. I’m going,” the president added about New York Knicks proprietor James Dolan, persevering with that “it could be Monday.”
Even the cheapest tickets to the games are selling for nearly $4,000 each, in accordance to secondary market TickPick. And some almost-courtside seats close to movie star row at MSG are listed for $220,000 a pop on SeatGeek, one other well-liked ticket market.
Trump’s look will trigger some logistical and safety complications for different attendees — who could also be required to arrive two hours earlier than tip-off, in accordance to a legislation enforcement official with data of the planning.
Federal authorities have been working to implement an in depth safety plan in anticipation of Trump’s look at Madison Square Garden, the official mentioned.
The intense safety plan requires additional magnetometers from the US Secret Service to be positioned inside to display screen each ticket holder coming into the sport, very like when Trump attended the US Open final yr, in accordance to the official.
There could also be as many as 40 magnetometers arrange contained in the famed venue to display screen the 1000’s of attendees, the official mentioned, which is why they might be required to arrive so early.
The expectation is that Trump — who’s not anticipated to keep the entire recreation — will sit in a field seat.
New York Police Department officers will present intelligence associated to threats and crime within the metropolis, in addition to additional cops, air help and visitors management, the official mentioned.
There will likely be a number of roads blocked off whereas the president is on his method into the realm, in accordance to the official. Trump will arrive together with his normal safety element, which is able to embody counter-sniper groups and counter-assault groups.
The president has repeatedly described himself as a Knicks fan and has steadily highlighted the crew in public remarks. The Knicks haven’t been to the NBA Finals since 1999, and so they won the first game in the series against the Spurs Wednesday evening.
Monday’s look would add to a rising listing of sporting occasions the president has attended throughout his second time period, as he has more and more made high-profile video games and championship matchups half of his public schedule.
Former President Barack Obama was the final sitting president to attend an NBA recreation.