Who, the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris (60 years old) or the Republican and predecessor of Joe Biden, Donald Trump (78 years old), will win the American presidential election and be the new tenant of the White House? Americans, more than 75 million of whom voted in advance, are called to vote to elect the 47th president or the first president of the United States, this Tuesday, November 5.
Gregg Popovich, the loudest voice
Not very affable with the media and often hasty in front of the press, Gregg Popovich does not hesitate to speak at length on political subjects. Asked by Basketball USA before the match against Houston on October 26, the 75-year-old coach delivered an indictment of more than 13 minutes against Donald Trump.
The former Air Force man notably described him as ” pathetic “« little man » and of “whiny”. « You wouldn't hire him to watch your kids. You wouldn't hire him if you had a business, do you really want someone like him in your business? Never. But you're going to vote for him as president? »he continued, visibly moved and touched by the situation.
His successor at the head of Team USA, Steve Kerr, does not hesitate to get involved in these political questions either: on August 19, he gave a speech at the Democratic convention in Chicago at the United Center, describing the vice -President of the United States as a “smart leader, who can be trusted to lead our country, bring us hope, inspiration and unity”. Before adding with a touch of humor: “In the words of the great Stephen Curry, we can say to Donald Trump: Night, night”.
A “fluctuating interest” in the American elections
Recently, the Warriors coach believed that there was “some fatigue” of politics among the American population and “that at some point, people just want to get on with their lives”.
If the polls predict an extremely close election, the context has however changed: four years ago, the American presidential election took place in ” a very hot period in the country due to the circumstances »recalls Steve Kerr. The Covid-19 health crisis and the increase in police violence against people from minorities, notably with the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, that of Breonna Taylor in Louisville (Kentucky) or the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha (Wisconsin) , had punctuated the campaign. “Americans’ interest in politics fluctuates,” notes the former Team USA coach. “Because for a major part of my career (1988-2003), politics did not matter at all for basketball players ».
Players committed to the Democratic Party
From LeBron James to Stephen Curry, several important players in the league have taken a stand, even if the Democratic commitment seems much more discreet than during the last election. The question of the place of women and the right to abortion, undermined in fourteen states since the annulment of the judgment Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court of the United States in June 2022, still remain central. “When I think about my children, my family and their future, the choice is clear: VOTE Kamala Harris! »wrote “the King” on the social network
LeBron James has been a long-time supporter of the Democratic Party: he organized a free concert for Barack Obama in 2009, before supporting Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden during the last two campaigns. Four years ago, he even founded More Than A Votea nonprofit organization for the protection and advocacy of black voters now chaired by WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike.
Described as a Warriors supporter and passing through training camp of Team USA in Las Vegas before the Olympic Games, Kamala Harris hopes that the support of NBA players will help her make a difference. “ Athletes are among the most trusted voices for key voting blocs, particularly among young men.explained his campaign team in September, specifying that “sporting events are also key moments that attract a large, politically diverse audience and reach generation Z”.
Well aware of the influence of the sporting world, in particular on the male electorate, the two candidates have thus multiplied initiatives in sport, Kamala Harris' team taking advantage of its broad support among professional athletes, active or retired, to launch “Athletes for Harris”, with Magic Johnson, former tennis legend Bille Jean King, Chris Paul, Candace Parker, Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers.
Owners more invested in Donald Trump
This is because Donald Trump, who has continually targeted NBA and NFL athletes, has few active supporters in the American sports community. He draws them mainly from the world of martial arts and combat sports, with the boxer Mike Tyson and the boss of the UFC, Dana White.
On the other hand, among NBA franchise owners, he clearly has the advantage. Alone Herb Simon (Indiana Pacers) clearly financially supported Kamala Harris' campaign ($100,000) while Ted Leonsis (Washington Wizards) ou David Blitzer (Philadelphia Sixers) also made donations to him (respectively $50,000 and $31,600), while supporting local Republican candidates because they need political support in the context of the new rooms of their franchises…
Tilman Fertitta (Houston Rockets) gave him $420,000 to Donald Trump's campaign, compared to $13,200 to that of Kamala Harris. If he did not make a direct donation, James Dolan (New York Knicks) on the other hand offered Madison Square Garden to Donald Trump for one of his last meetings.
The DeVos family (Orlando Magic) also largely finances Republican candidates, the club owner's sister-in-law, Betsy DeVos, having notably served as Donald Trump's Secretary of Education from 2017 to 2021.
But the symbol of division in the NBA is in Dallas, where Mark Cuban increases public criticism against Donald Trump and his “fascist tendencies” on TV sets. Even though he publicly supports Kamala Harris, the current minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks has not given him any money for his campaign.
An attitude totally opposed to that of the majority shareholder of the Texan club, Miriam Adelsonwhich for its part offered more than 100 million dollars to the Republican candidate, via a political action committee. Nothing to disturb Mark Cuban. “We are friends and partners”he responded, on this political disagreement, to Front Office Sports. “As we have been for years. Politics doesn't come into play. »
From our correspondents Théo Quintard in San Antonio and Melvin Karsenti in San Francisco.
