ESPN has become the latest corporate entity jump on the pig-pile on Donald Trump.
Following moves by Macys, NBCUniversal, and NASCAR to distance themselves from the presidential candidate, ESPN has decided to move an annual golf tournament honoring late North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano from the Trump National Golf Club.
We decided it was appropriate to change the venue, and are grateful for the opportunity to stage the event at Pelican Hill on short notice, the network announced in a statement. This charity outing benefits The V Foundations Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, providing resources for important cancer research for minority populations, including Hispanics and African Americans. Our decision reflects our deep feelings for our former colleague and support for inclusion of all sports fans. Diversity and inclusion are core values at ESPN and our decision also supports that commitment.
Corporations seeking to limit speech have tangled with the businessman-turned-politician since his remarks critical of illegal immigration that came during his presidential announcement last month.
When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best, Trump maintained on June 16. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists.