I watch sports and athletics because it’s an escape from politics and I enjoy the competition. Now that the NFL and the NBA have joined the political arena, they no longer serve the purpose for which I used to watch them. I was extremely disappointed that Gregg Popovtch, head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, decided to insult Spurs fans who voted for Donald Trump. I’m done with pro sports.
Three NBA teams have stopped staying at Trump hotels this season following the results of the presidential election.
The Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks have all stopped staying at Trump-branded hotels in order to “avoid any implied association with the new president-elect,” according to ESPN.
The three teams have decided to stay at other hotels while visiting New York City and Chicago through a licensing agreement, ESPN reports. Another Eastern Conference team “contracted to stay at the Trump SoHo in New York” will also likely switch to a different property when their contract with the hotel expires, according to ESPN sources. The team cited the “Trump association” as a factor in the potential switch.
The Bucks stayed at the Trump International Hotel in Chicago during the preseason, and reportedly tried to make a late cancellation. The Milwaukee team has already switched their hotel for their trip back to Chicago during the regular-season, ESPN reports.
Both the Mavericks and the Grizzles have previously stayed at the Trump SoHo on trips to New York in past seasons. The teams have chosen to book other hotels this season for their trips to the Big Apple.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry were both “high-profile” supporters of Hillary Clinton in her run for president. Their influence over their respective teams is likely connected with the hotel switch-up.
Donald Trump no longer holds an equity stake in the Trump SoHo hotel, ESPN reports, but the Chicago property is still owned and operated by his company.