NBA Champions Oklahoma City Thunder Decline White House Invitation Amid Scheduling Conflict

Washington, D.C. — The Oklahoma City Thunder will not be celebrating their 2024-25 NBA title at the White House, the team confirmed Thursday, citing timing constraints that prevented the visit during their lone regular-season trip to the nation’s capital.

The Thunder, who enter Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards with a league-best 55-15 record, informed the White House that the traditional championship ceremony “just didn’t work out,” according to a statement shared with The Athletic. The franchise becomes the latest NBA champion to bypass the storied photo-op, following the precedent set by the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who also declined an invitation from President Donald Trump during his first term.

White House visits have been a rite of passage for American sports champions since the 1963 Boston Celtics toured 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after capturing the NBA crown. The Celtics most recently reprised the ritual in November 2024, when they were feted by then-President Joe Biden after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. Trump, now in his second term, has continued the custom, welcoming Inter Miami and Lionel Messi last month to honor their MLS Cup triumph, while also hosting Super Bowl victors, College Football Playoff champions, World Series winners, and, in a first last week, the 2025 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world champions.

The Thunder’s decision arrives against the backdrop of heightened U.S. diplomatic activity surrounding the Iran-Israel conflict, though the team offered no further elaboration on the “timing issue” that scuttled the visit. Oklahoma City is in Washington for only one game this season, eliminating any immediate opportunity to reschedule.

Meanwhile, the NFL’s reigning champion Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the New England Patriots in last month’s Super Bowl in San Francisco, have yet to announce whether they will accept a White House invitation. The previous year’s winners, the Philadelphia Eagles, attended 12 months ago without quarterback Jalen Hurts; the Eagles had earlier declined the 2018 invitation after their Super Bowl LII victory.

As the Thunder pursue a repeat championship and continue to lead the Western Conference, the franchise emphasized its appreciation for the dialogue with the White House, even as the historic visit will not take place.