3 notable NBA players who endorsed Democratic Party nominees ft. Steph Curry
NBA players have been involved in multiple social and political issues. These athletes can hugely influence public opinion for the better, and many players understand the weight of this responsibility. They are vocal about various societal issues plaguing them and their political beliefs.
On that note, here are three NBA stars who endorsed Democratic Party nominees in the past.
3 notable NBA players who endorsed Democratic Party nominees
LeBron James
LeBron James faced criticism for being outspoken about his political views in 2016 when a conservative reporter told him to just “shut up and dribble.” However, he continued to be a prominent voice within the NBA. James raised awareness about social injustice during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020’s Bubble restart, where he led the Los Angeles Lakers to the championship.
James also helped form More than a Vote, a group that fought against voter disenfranchisement in black communities before the 2020 presidential election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
James also expressed his fury against police violence during Trump's term in 2020.
Apart from endorsing Biden for President in 2020, James also campaigned for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
“She will build on the legacy of my good friend, President Barack Obama," he wrote in 2016. “I believe in what President Obama has done for our country and support her commitment to continuing that legacy,”
Steph Curry
Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry has thrown his weight behind Democratic nominee Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 Presidential elections. The US Vice-President grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and as per the Guardian, has developed a solid rapport with Curry over the years.
The four-time NBA champion endorsed Harris during Team USA's lead-up to the Paris Olympics in July, where they won their fifth straight gold medal.
“She represents the Bay Area,” Curry said. “She’s been a big supporter of us, so I want to give that energy back to her. We’re representing our country here, and this is a very monumental next couple of months for the direction where we’re headed.
Hopefully, this is a great way to do our part to continue unifying our country with how sports brings a lot of people together.
Curry has historically been more leaning toward the Democratic group, as shown in his refusal to go to the White House when they won the 2017 and 2018 NBA titles during Donald Trump’s term.
However, when they won in 2015, he joined his team in the traditional visit when Barack Obama, a former Democratic president, was still in office.
“My views haven’t changed at all. I don’t know if anybody’s changed. But that’s where I stand right now,” Curry said during the Warriors’ 2017 NBA media day at their practice facility. “I don’t want to go. That’s my nucleus of my belief.”
Magic Johnson
Five-time NBA champion and LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson has been a vocal supporter of the Democratic Party. Over the years, he endorsed Democratic nominees Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden for President.
Johnson reportedly donated to the campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton ahead of the 2008 presidential elections. In an episode of CNN's Larry King Live, he also talked about "crying like a baby" when Obama became the first African-American to be elected U.S. President.
He called Obama’s speech at the DNC on Tuesday night “the best political speech in the country’s history."
"Former President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama gave the best political speeches in [the] history of our country. The powerful couple talked about working class families, family values, and moving the country forward - together. They were powerful, intelligent, compassionate, and sealed with integrity," he wrote on X.