WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is urging the NHL and the players' association to "do right by your fans" and find a solution to the league's lockout.

Obama says in an interview with WCCO-TV in Minneapolis that as president, he shouldn't have to get involved in a sports lockout. He says owners and players "make a lot of money and you make a lot of money on the backs of the fans, so do right by your fans."

Representatives from both sides met with a federal mediator on Thursday but didn't make any noticeable progress. The two sides appear no closer to a deal to save the season.

Obama says both sides "can figure out how to spread out a bunch of revenue" and should do right by the people who support them.