ESPN Moves ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic From Trump National
ESPN is moving next week’s ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic from Trump National Golf Club following owner Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks about Mexican immigrants. The charity event will instead be held at Pelican Hill Golf Club on July 14.
“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,” ESPN said in a statement. “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.”
The annual charity outing honors athletes, teams and organizations that have made a difference in their communities through sport.
ESPN is the latest company to distance itself from Trump. NASCAR and Macy’s have also cut ties with the real estate mogul.
This is the most recent fallout after Univision announced two weeks ago that it would be dropping Trump’s Miss USA telecast, which Reelz will now air on July 12. NBCUniversal — a 50-50 owner of the pageant franchise — has also dumped Trump. Mexico’s largest broadcaster, Televisa, has scrapped plans to carry the Miss Universe pageant as well.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” Trump said in a speech announcing his presidential bid on June 16. “They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.”
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