ESPN moves its ESPY golf tournament from Trump National L.A.
You can now count ESPN among those organizations cutting ties with Donald Trump in the wake of offensive, inaccurate comments about Mexican immigrants.
ESPN announced Monday that it has moved its ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic from Trump National Los Angeles to Pelican Hill Golf Club in nearby Newport Beach, Calif. The tournament is set for July 14 ahead of the network's annual ESPY award show and benefits The V Foundation's Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund.
“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," said a statement released Monday by ESPN.
"This charity outing benefits The V Foundation’s 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.”
ESPN joins the likes of NBC Universal, Macy's, Univision and NASCAR, all of which have severed ties with Trump in the wake of comments made as part of his Presidential campaign.
Trump-owned properties host or will host major golf events. Trump's Doral resort hosts the WGC-Cadillac Championship, while his Puerto Rico golf club hosts the opposite-field Puerto Rico Open. Trump National L.A. is still set to host the PGA of America's PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which hosts the year's major champions in a 36-hole tournament. Trump facilities will also host the 2015 Ricoh Women's British Open, 2017 Senior PGA Championship and 2022 PGA Championship.
The PGA of America, PGA Tour, USGA and LPGA issued a joint statement on July 1 to distance themselves from Trump's remarks. However, none of the bodies has moved to remove their events from Trump venues.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
