NBA goes anti-Trump: 3 teams dumping president-elect’s hotels, sources tell ESPN

Sources within the NBA have told ESPN that three teams are ending business relationships with Trump-branded hotels.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks have decided to distance themselves from the president-elect’s namesake hotels in New York City and Chicago, the sports network reported Wednesday. Seven other teams plan to continue staying in the properties, at least for the remainder of the season.

ESPN’s story comes against a backdrop of famous NBA faces who have openly criticized Mr. Trump, from San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry supported Democrat Hillary Clinton’s losing presidential campaign.

“I’m still sick to my stomach, and not basically because the Republicans won or anything, but the disgusting tenor, tone and all the comments that have been xenophobic, homophobic, racist, misogynistic,” Mr. Popovich said Nov. 11, just days after Mr. Trump secured his spot as the 45th U.S. commander in chief. “And I live in that country where half the people ignored all that to elect someone.”

Mr. Cuban, who also stars on the television show “Shark Tank,” endorsed Mrs. Clinton’s presidential bid in late July and hit the campaign trail with her in Pennsylvania. He told the Associated Press when contacted about ESPN’s story that his team’s decision was “made months ago. Not recently.’’

“Several teams that have stayed at the Trump SoHo in particular in the past told ESPN that they are not staying there this season but did not specifically attribute the switch to any political reason,” the network reported.

Trump International Tower and Hotel in Chicago is part of the billionaire’s company, but he does not hold an equity stake in the Trump SoHo hotel, ESPN reported.