WASHINGTON -- Both the NFL and the Commission on Presidential Debates are rejecting Republican Donald Trumps assertions about the fall debates, which the billionaire businessman says have been rigged by his opponents to draw a smaller audience by scheduling two of them at the same time as a football game.Trump began by making an accusation in a tweet posted Friday night: As usual, Hillary & the Dems are trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games. Same as last time w/ Bernie. Unacceptable!Trump expanded his conspiracy theory when asked about the debates during an interview for Sundays This Week on ABC: Well, Ill tell you what I dont like. Its against two NFL games. I got a letter from the NFL saying, `This is ridiculous. Why are the debates against -- `cause the NFL doesnt wanna go against the debates. `Cause the debates are gonna be pretty massive, from what I understand, OK?Asked about Trumps assertion, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy tweeted on Saturday: While wed obviously wish the Debate Commission could find another night, we did not send a letter to Mr Trump.A Trump aide said Saturday that the Republican candidate was made aware of the conflicting dates by a source close to the league. The aide was not authorized to speak by name and requested anonymity.The nonpartisan, independent presidential debate commission serves as the event sponsor and sets the participation criteria, dates, sites and formats. The sites and dates for three presidential debates were announced in September 2015.The CPD did not consult with any political parties or campaigns in making these decisions, the commission said in a statement issued Saturday.Two of the three debates will be televised at the same time as an NFL game. On Sept. 26, the night of the first debate, ESPN will carry the Monday night game featuring the Falcons vs. the Saints. On Oct. 9, the second debate will air opposite the Sunday night game featuring the Giants vs. the Packers on NBC.The Democratic Party was criticized during the primary race for scheduling debates between Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday nights and holiday weekends, times when viewership is low. The Sanders campaign suggested that was an effort to limit the size of the audience.Trump told ABC: You know, Hillary Clinton wants to be against the NFL. She doesnt -- maybe like she did with Bernie Sanders, where they were on Saturday nights when nobodys home.The Clinton campaign did not comment on Trumps assertions.In the ABC interview, Trump said three debates were fine and that hed rather have three than one.---AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner in Springfield, New Jersey, and AP writers Jonathan Lemire in New York and Lisa Lerer in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.Mariners Jerseys China . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Custom Mariners Jerseys . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. http://www.custommarinersjersey.com/ .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Wholesale Custom Mariners Shirts . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. Custom Edgar Martinez Jersey . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.Swedens Alex Edler was suspended for the remainder of the World Hockey Championship on Friday for his knee-on-knee hit on Eric Staal of Team Canada. Edler hit Staal late in the first period of Thursdays quarterfinal game in Stockholm, leaving the Canadian forward writhing on the ice in pain. He was helped off the ice and did not return. Staal, a forward with the Carolina Hurricanes, is scheduled&nnbsp;have an MRI on his injured knee on Saturday in Raleigh.dddddddddddd Edler, a defenceman with the Vancouver Canucks, was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct on the play. In rendering its decision, the disciplinary panel deemed Edlers action as reckless, dangerous and that it was in disregard to the vulnerability of his opponent. Sweden plays Finland in Saturdays semifinal game. ' ' '