Donald Trump will not be the only winner to visit the White House on Thursday. Following President Obama's invitation earlier this year, LeBron James and the 2016 NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers will be swinging by 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in what some are predicting could be the last time athletes visit the president's residence for at least four years:
Former NBA player Jalen Rose also speculated that the tradition of athletes visiting the White House could soon be coming to an end. "Now that Donald Trump will be the commander in chief, don't be surprised when multiple athletes decline the opportunity to visit the White House," he said on his show, Jalen & Jacoby. "The opportunity for him to be in the Oval Office is going to be a magnet for a lot of people, but it's going to represent something that's really divisive for a lot more."
Rose explained further on ESPN's NBA Countdown: "Unlike Tom Brady, when his team won the championship and he chose not to go to the White House, saying it was a scheduling conflict while Barack Obama was in office, what we're going to see in professional sports, NBA and/or NFL, mark my words, will be players who decline to visit the White House under [Trump's] presidency."
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At least one thing remains certain in these uncertain times: Tom Brady probably won't have any scheduling conflicts if President Trump invites him to D.C.
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