Company To Take Down Cleveland’s Iconic LeBron James Sign For RNC

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UPDATE, June 22, 2016, 12:30 PM ET:

On Wednesday, Cleveland’s ABC 5 news station added a “clarification” to its original story noting the Republican National Convention played no role in the decision to remove the banner.

An RNC spokeswoman also said in an email to TPM that Sherwin-Williams decided to remove the sign, citing a Plain Dealer story announcing the company’s plans in May to herald in the convention with a patriotic sign.

Sherwin-Williams said in a statement provided to TPM the James banner would remain until July 4, would be removed July 5, and return in the fall.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The pride of Cleveland, a massive, iconic image of LeBron James – newly updated to tout the city bringing home the NBA Championship – won’t last long, with the Republican National Convention coming to town July 18.

The Cavaliers ended the city’s 52-year dry spell with a championship win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. The image of James, with armed outstretched, was updated with a laser projection to add the word “champions.”

But Sherman Williams, who owns the space, said Tuesday that the RNC already had standing plans to strip James from his place high atop the city in favor of a red, white and blue image declaring “land is our land,” Cleveland’s ABC 5 reported.

The company said it would let the “champions” banner stand until then to celebrate the championship and James’ selection as MVP.

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