DELHI TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) — LeBron James took to Twitter Saturday, responding to the Cincinnati area bar owner who said he would not show any more NBA games at his establishment due to the basketball player’s online sentiments.
James shared a news article about the incident with a comment that reads, “I was headed there to watch our game tonight and have a drink! Welp.”
Jay Linneman, the owner of Linnie’s Pub in Delhi Township, made a Facebook post last Wednesday telling customers he would not be showing NBA games anymore.
“If anyone wants to watch an NBA game, don’t come to Linnie’s Pub,” the post reads. “We will not air them until LeBron James has been expelled from the NBA.”
Linneman’s comment came on the heels of James’ tweet firestorm following the police-involved shooting in Columbus that left 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant dead. The now-gone tweet showed a photo of the officer involved in the shooting with a statement that said “YOU’RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY.”
James later explained his reasoning for removing the original tweet, saying:
Linneman is not the only one taking a stand against James. The National Fraternal Order of Police also took to Twitter this week saying James needed to “educate himself.”
“.@KingJames, with his vast resources & influence, should educate himself and, frankly, has a responsibility to do so, on the facts before weighing in. This is disgraceful & extremely reckless. The officer saved a young girl’s life. No amount of gaslighting will change that fact.”
Meanwhile, the Bryant shooting remains under investigation. Ohio BCI is conducting a criminal investigation, while the Columbus Division of Police does an administrative review.