Obama tells NHL owners, players 'do right by your fans' (VIDEO)

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Asked if he would intervene in the ongoing NHL lockout, President Barack Obama told the "state of hockey" that he has more important things to worry about.

In an interview with CBS affiliate WCCO in Minnesota, Obama reiterated his stance on the laborious labor dispute that has since canceled half the National Hockey League season, the all-star game and the outdoor “Winter Classic” on Jan. 1 in Detroit.

“The president of the United States shouldn’t have to get involved in a sports lockout,” Obama said.

“My message is to owners and to players is, ‘you guys make a lot of money, and you make a lot of money on the back of fans. So, do right by your fans.”

His comments were similar to those he made earlier this year during his re-election campaign on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

POTUS is on side with fans again, offering more than subtle jabs at millionaire athletes and their bosses.

“You can figure out how to spread out a bunch of revenue that you’re bringing in,” he told WCCO.

“And I shouldn’t have to be involved in a dispute between really wealthy players and even wealthier owners. They should be able to settle this themselves.”

Today is the 90th day of the lockout as the players’ union and owners attempt to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.

While many suggest a deal is closer, there’s still no chance of playing more than about 48 games this year should they sign soon.

ESPN said Thursday that an NHL governor provided it a copy of a new deal that would “get some traction,” said one veteran player who saw the deal.

Owners and players met with a federal mediator this week, but it hasn’t produced any results.

They’re to speak today, but probably only over the phone, The Associated Press reported.

It has superstar Sidney Crosby baffled.

“They didn‘t even have a face-to-face meeting,” Crosby told the Tribune. “For me, it just doesn‘t make any sense. Why can‘t they get in the room and keep talking? I don‘t know what that mindset is or how that‘s going to help things progress.”

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