SoulCycle, Miami Dolphins Owner Faces Boycotts Over Support of Trump (UPDATE)

Tickets to the fundraiser are being sold for up to $250,000.

stephen ross
Getty

Image via Getty

stephen ross

UPDATED 8/9/19 12:38 p.m. ET: Wide receiver Kenny Stills says he's received death threats after criticizing Dolphins owner Stephen Ross for supporting Trump. He claims his tweet calling out Ross has been met with at least five people threatening his life, according to the Palm Beach Post.

Stills hasn't backed down from his comments. After Thursday's preseason game against the Falcons, the wide receiver mentioned to reporters that he's "sure" he'll speak directly to Ross about his issues at some point.

"I think there’s other candidates that he could support," Stills said. "It’s not about Democrat or Republican or any of those things. It’s literally about why. Why are you trying to help this man raise money to continue to do things that he’s been doing?"

Miami Dolphins WR Kenny Stills speaks to the media after tonight’s 34-27 victory over the Falcons. Stills recently had some critical comments regarding team owner Stephen Ross’ President Trump fundraiser. #FinsUp #NFLPreseason #NABJ19 #ATLvsMIA #MeetMeInMiami pic.twitter.com/EPbHkKERbR

UPDATED 8/7/19 7:00 p.m. ET: Stephen Ross has released a statement concerning his support for Trump and the fundraiser he's hosting for him.

Statement from Stephen Ross: pic.twitter.com/nvn3pmAPVE

See original story below.

Members of Equinox and SoulCycle are calling for boycotts of the popular fitness brands after news spread that the companies' owner, Stephen Ross, is throwing a fundraiser for Donald Trump's re-election.

Ross, who also owns the Miami Dolphins, is turning over his home in the Hamptons for the fundraiser and tickets are selling for up to $250,000 a piece. Once news of Ross' affiliations reached Twitter, the presumably progressive customer base of his largely urban gym chains called for an immediate boycott.

This Friday the Soul Cycle and Equinox Fitness chairman is throwing a fundraising lunch for Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign. Tickets are $100,000 each. Adding to the list. https://t.co/pHNr8ZeG5m #GrabYourWallet

— Shannon Coulter (@shannoncoulter) August 7, 2019

Current customers were left to reconsider their subscriptions.

Thank you for this. Considering I was about to restart my @Equinox membership I’m glad I saw this before I did. I’ll find somewhere else to go now.

— LizzieShore@mstdn.social😷 🇺🇦 (@lizzieshore) August 7, 2019

Ross is getting bashed on all sides, including by his own players. The Dolphins' Kenny Stills called out the hypocrisy between Ross' charitable work and his support of Trump. A source told the Sun-Sentinel that Ross does not support Trump’s views regarding race."

🤔 You can’t have a non profit with this mission statement then open your doors to Trump. https://t.co/sNBWfEXvLn pic.twitter.com/nNkRf2wJep

— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) August 7, 2019

Sports reporters wondered if Stills' direct rebuke of Ross' fundraiser would hurt his standing with the Miami Dolphins. 

The Miami Dolphins resisted the suggestion of trading or releasing Kenny Stills when it was broached before the season, according to a league source. Reasonable to wonder if a trade discussion could be broached again.

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) August 7, 2019

SoulCycle's CEO Melanie Whelan and Equinox issued statements on social media saying they have nothing to do with the event.

A note from our CEO pic.twitter.com/UwxBWR76B0

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