The National Football League and the Commission on Presidential Debates are rejecting Donald Trump's claim that Democrats rigged the debate schedule so two of the three debates would occur during football games.

The commission said Sunday it worked more than 18 months to identify all religious and federal holidays as well as baseball games, football games and other major events.

The commission says it was impossible to avoid all sporting events.

It also says it never consulted with either political party in setting the dates.