The sports industry was not silent during the process for the 2024 United States presidential election.
Active, retired players, managers and owners of the most important leagues in that country and even in the world, such as the NBA and NFLplayed an active role during the presidential campaigns of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. But they not only got involved with speeches, but also with donations that reached nine figures.
Kamala Harristhe Democratic Party candidate, is 60 years old and her last position was that of vice president of the United States during Joe Biden’s administration.
Donald Trump, the candidate of the Republican Party, is 78 years old and already served as president of the United States between 2017 and 2021.
The ideological differences of their parties are present in all areas of the United States, without ruling out the sport. In that country it is common for athletes, managers and owners to publicly demonstrate their sympathy or animosity for the Democratic or Republican sides, and that is what happened towards the 2024 election.
One of the most notable cases was that of Miriam Adelson, owner of the NBA Dallas Mavericks since December 2023. His name emerged during the presidential process after contributing $100 million to Donald Trump’s campaign.
This capital was directed to a committee called Preserve America, which supports the ideas of the Republican side and, therefore, Trump.
According to Front Office SportsMiriam Adelson’s was the largest contribution to a presidential candidate by a sports owner in the United States.
“Individuals can donate a limit of $3,300 to a candidate (once in each of the primary and general election campaigns), but they can donate unlimited amounts to political action committees,” the text highlights, alluding to the modus operandi with which Adelson supported Donald Trump’s campaign.
Other owners of the NBA who participated with donations to Kamala Harris or Donald Trump were Tilman Fertitta (Houston Rockets), Herb Simon (Indiana Pacers), Jimmy and Dee Haslam (Milwaukee Bucks), as well as the DeVos family (Orlando Magic), although estimates indicate that none It exceeded $500,000, far from Miriam Adelson.
In the case of the NFL Contributing owners were Rob Walton (Denver Broncos), Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons), Avram Glazer (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), David Tepper (Carolina Panthers) and Woody Johnson (New York Jets).
In general, the article Front Office Sports points out that the NBA owners were the ones who gave the most contributions with $100,424,650. Second place is for those from the NFL with 812,900, third is for those from MLB (Major Leagues) with 427,373, then comes the NHL (hockey) with 375,100 and finally those from the WNBA with 274,800.
Aside from the donations are the speeches in favor of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump by active and retired athletes, which had an impact on their followers on social networks and, therefore, on thousands of fans.
On the side of Kamala Harris The speeches of LeBron Jamesactive historical figure in the NBA (and current Lakers player); as well as the former world champion soccer player, Megan Rapinoe; Stephen Curry, also from the NBA (Warriors); Caitlin Clark, current WNBA star; and Billie Jean King, one of the pioneers of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
On the side of donald trump characters like Dana White, current president of the UFC, played; Mike Tyson and Brett Fravre, retired boxing and NFL figures, respectively; in addition to current Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker; and Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest winners in the history of golf.
