LeBron James on the NBA losing Trump as a viewer: 'We couldn't care less'

Last edited Thu Aug 6, 2020, 08:54 AM - Edit history (1)

NBA star LeBron James on Wednesday said the league isn’t torn about losing President Trump as a viewer due to his opposition to demonstrations during the national anthem, saying “we could care less.”

"I really don't think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership, him viewing the game," James told reporters. "And that's all I got to say."
"I think our game is in a beautiful position and we have fans all over the world and our fans not only love the way we play the game, we try to give it back to them with our commitment to the game," he said.

"But also respect what else we try to bring to the game and acknowledge it -- what's right and what's wrong," James said. "And I hope everyone, no matter the race, no matter the color, no matter the size, will see what leadership that we have at the top in our country and understand that November is right around the corner and it's a big moment for us as Americans.”

James added that “the game will go on without his eyes on it,” referring to the president. “I can sit here and speak for all of us that love the game of basketball: We could care less,” he concluded.

Most of the NBA's players, coaches and officials have knelt during the national anthem to protest racial inequalities. The NBA resumed its season in late July in a "bubble" environment in Orlando because of the coronavirus. Trump on Wednesday said he turns off a game if he sees players kneeling and encouraged others to do the same.

Trump suggested that ratings are down for sports because of viewers like himself boycotting the protests.

However, ESPN noted that Trump’s statement was inaccurate because the NBA has seen an increase in ratings over the last week.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/510825-lebron-james-on-the-nba-losing-trump-as-a-viewer-we-could-care-less