In this 2024 American election, every vote counts and some have more resonance than others. While the two candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, are neck and neck in the polls less than two weeks before the fateful date (November 5), each is trying to rally the last possible support.
During the long months of the campaign, several American sports stars, often coveted for their media aura, joined the ranks of one or the other, even if we observed less involvement than in 2020, according to Douglas Hartmann, professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota. “There is a lot less sports activism than there was four years ago. This is not due to politics per se, but rather the context of 2020, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the uprisings for George Floyd.he analyzes.
The return to a more “traditional” campaign climate, marked nevertheless by the assassination attempt against Donald Trump on July 14 then by the withdrawal of Joe Biden for Kamala Harris on July 21, did not prevent certain athletes from choosing ostensibly their side.
And it is that of the Democratic candidate who seems to be more popular. “Part of the reason is that Harris can build on the efforts of Obama, Clinton and Biden to feature sports stars in their campaigns,” notes David Niven, professor of American politics at the University of Cincinnati (Ohio).
It is once again the NBA which is most involved among the four major American leagues which are the NFL (American football), the MLB (baseball) and the NHL (ice hockey). However, the superstar LeBron James, declared support of Barack Obama then of Joe Biden to the point of creating in 2020 “More Than a Vote”, an association to encourage black Americans to vote, sis less involved this time.
“LeBron James showed that you can be political and still have great success, a huge fan base and be tapped for commercials. This made it much easier for subsequent athletes to find their voice.”
David Nivenprofessor at the University of Cincinnati
Among the strong supporters, we nevertheless count the women’s national team, but also Stephen Curry. On September 30, the leader who had given the Blues nightmares at the Olympics, praised the former California prosecutor. “She is a smart leader who can be trusted to lead our country, bring us hope, inspiration and unity.”
He was followed by his coach at the Warriors, Steve Kerr, also at the head of the national team, who even went so far as to speak at the Democratic convention. Former glories, like Magic Johnson in the NBA, also brought their “endorsement” (official support) for the former vice-president, just like fifteen former NFL glories or the most followed rugby woman in the world, Ilona Maher.
On the other hand, Donald Trump has received little support from current stars, but can always count on old ones, like Dennis Rodman (NBA), Tiger Woods (golf) or the wrestler Hulk Hogan. This is also the case of Dana White, the volcanic president of the UFC, the main MMA league in the world, who even introduced it at his convention. ““Republicans historically tend to have more support from coaches and former players, especially in sports like football, NASCAR or MMA.” estimated Douglas Hartmann.
In the NFL, the most followed league in the United States, few players have dared to speak out for one side or the other. Conversely, the NBA, led by the figure of LeBron James, is much less hesitant to commit to the opposite of Michael Jordan’s generation. “The NBA has a stronger players union and a more diverse (and ostensibly progressive) fan base. The NFL has some owners who are prominent conservatives or public supporters of Trump”continues the academic.
In the midst of this remote struggle, one team particularly crystallized tensions: the Kansas City Chiefs, two-time reigning NFL champions. One of the two big stars, Travis Kelce, has formalized his relationship with Taylor Swift, the pop singer with a colossal aura who is ostensibly democratic.
Which made Donald Trump say that he preferred the partner of… the other star of the team, quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “Brittany (Mahomes) is a huge Trump fan. She’s a big MAGA supporter. [Make America Great Again]I much prefer her to Taylor Swift”had launched the former president provocatively, while Brittany Mahomes had already “liked” Trump’s posts, before changing his mind, but without ever giving him public support.
Another player on the team, kicker Harrison Butker, caused a scandal last May with conservative and misogynistic remarks, while speaking to students at a Catholic university in Kansas. “Some of you may have great careers. But I would venture to say that the majority of you will be most happy about your future marriage and the children you will give birth to.”he said, also believing that Pride Month was dedicated to “mortal sins”.
Although he has never officially indicated his camp, he had criticized President Joe Biden for defending, despite his Catholic faith, the right to abortion, which according to him corresponds to “murder of innocent babies”. Comments from which the NFL and its club dissociated themselves, while Travis Kelce simply dodged the subject. “I can’t say I agree with any of his beliefs, other than that he loves his family and his children. I don’t believe I should judge him by his opinions, especially those who are religious, or on their vision of life”, had evacuated the tight-end.
Within the all-powerful NFL, it is nevertheless the choice of their teammate, the “golden-boy” Patrick Mahomes, who attracts envy. But neither he nor the newly retired legend Tom Brady wanted to give voting instructions. “I don’t want my influence to be used to support any candidate or do anything”he defended.
Can these positions, whether assertive or on the contrary cautious,, like the pivotal states, upset the election? “Lhe influence of sports figures is less about changing mentalities than about reinforcing existing attitudes and beliefs. Perhaps by intensifying or strengthening them, with the possibility of voting more than would otherwise be the case.believes Professor David Hartmann.
Understand: the support of American athletes accentuates the already established vote much more than it tilts it. And its impact is measured above all in terms of encouraging people to vote, particularly among younger generations, as Caitlin Clark, the new WNBA star, wishedby “liking” Taylor Swift’s publication in support of Kamala Harris. “I would be surprised if there are a lot of new major supporters. And I suspect most athletes will focus on voter registration and voter turnout”concludes David Hartmann.
