Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has grappled with the decision since issuing a monthlong "shelter-in-place" order April 1, but in a memo Thursday he added professional sports to the list of essential businesses that include health care, financial, energy, food, communications and transportation, ESPN reported.
"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," would be permitted to operate, DeSantis wrote in his memo.
At a news conference Monday, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said a conversation he had with DeSantis helped sway the governor's mind.
“I think initially there was a review that was done and they were not initially deemed an essential business," Demings said. "With some conversation with the governor’s office regarding the governor’s (shelter-in-place) order, they were deemed an essential business. Therefore, they were allowed to remain open.”
WrestleMania 36, which was supposed to be a live event April 5 at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium, was taped at Orlando's Performance Center on March 25-26, the WWE said on its website. It was shown in two parts, with its second segment featuring Drew McIntyre's defeat of Brock Lesnar for the WWE heavyweight title.
Live shows -- without fans -- began Monday with WWE’s “Raw” program, which airs on USA Network. Other televised WWE shows include Wednesday’s “NXT” program, also on USA Network; and "SmackDown: every Friday on Fox.
“We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times,” WWE said in a statement “We are producing content on a closed set with only essential personnel in attendance following appropriate guidelines while taking additional precautions to ensure the health and wellness of our performers and staff.”
DeSantis’ stay-at-home order is scheduled to expire April 30 but could be extended.
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