An Ohio bar has apparently vowed to black out NBA games over a controversial social media post by LeBron James that he later deleted.
The owner of Linne's Pub in Delhi Township, just west of Cincinnati, said pro basketball games wouldn't be shown in his establishment until James had been "expelled" from the league over his tweet calling for "accountability" for the Columbus police officer reported to have fired the fatal shot at 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant on Tuesday afternoon, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
The disturbing shooting of Bryant unfolded only about an hour after a Minneapolis jury had handed down guilty verdicts on all charges in the Derek Chauvin case.
James later deleted his tweet, which included a photo of the officer, later identified as 18-month veteran and Air National Guard member Nicholas Reardon, as well as the comment "you're next." Reardon was taken off street duty amid an investigation, Columbus police officials said.
James later explained that he removed the tweet because it was further fueling anger over a tense situation.
Reports of the bar ban surfaced on Friday, and James fired back with a sarcastic response on Saturday.
"Aww Damn!!" he said. "I was headed there to watch our game tonight and have a drink! Welp."
James has grown increasingly active in politics and issues of social justice in recent years, and has become a favorite target of conservative pundits and firebrands, not least of which was President Trump, whom he once famously ripped as a "bum."
He has spoken out on several high-profile incidents of police brutality against Black people, in particular the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor by Louisville law enforcement officers. Last year, James wore a red "MAGA"-style had that read, "Make America arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor."
The four-time NBA MVP is sidelined with a high ankle sprain suffered in late March, and was expected to be out a couple more weeks.
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