LeBron James is "among half of the Cavaliers players who will not stay at the Trump SoHo hotel" tomorrow for the team’s game against the Knicks, according to sources cited by Jason Lloyd of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. The team is "contractually obligated to stay at the hotel this season but has made arrangements with a nearby hotel for players who aren’t comfortable staying there." James was an "outspoken critic of President-elect Donald Trump throughout the election" and endorsed Hillary Clinton. The team signed the contract with Trump SoHo "long before the election because it was the only logistical choice that would guarantee the team a block of rooms should they need to come back for the playoffs." The Cavs are also "scheduled to stay at Trump SoHo in advance of their Feb. 4 game" at MSG, but will have "separate accommodations for that trip as well." They are "not scheduled to stay at a Trump hotel during their January visit to Brooklyn" to play the Nets (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 12/6). ESPN CLEVELAND's Dave McMenamin noted at least three other teams in November decided they "will cease their business relationships with Trump-branded hotels this season" (ESPNCLEVELAND.com, 12/5).
