An increasing number of NBA players and teams are avoiding stays at Trump-branded hotels, with many citing personal preference and a desire to distance themselves from political controversy. This trend gained attention in 2016 when LeBron James and several Cleveland Cavaliers teammates chose alternative accommodations in New York City, breaking from team tradition. James clarified that the move was based on personal comfort, not a political stance.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban later confirmed his team also avoids Trump hotels in New York and Chicago to prevent any perceived endorsement of the former president. Other teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies, have followed suit.
These decisions reflect a wider movement in professional sports to avoid associations that could be seen as politically divisive, highlighting ongoing tensions between business affiliations and personal values.
