Nearly 95% of political donations from major North American sports team owners since 2020 have gone to Republican campaigns, candidates and Super Pacs, according to a Guardian analysis of Federal Election Commission data. The total contributions from owners across the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, NWSL and WNBA franchises amounted to at least $132.1m, with $124.8m directed to Republican causes and just $5.2m to Democratic ones.
The review covered federal campaign contributions made by principal owners and managing partners from 4 November 2020 to 16 October 2024. More than two-thirds of the total—$92.3m—came from Miriam Adelson, the Republican mega-donor who acquired a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks in late 2023. Adelson has channelled at least $20m into her Preserve America PAC backing Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
NFL owners were the most prolific givers, contributing $23.2m since November 2020, with $19.1m going to Republican efforts and $2.3m to Democratic causes. The league's most generous donor was Denver Broncos co-owner Rob Walton, who donated at least $13.8m to conservative groups, including $7m to Americans for Prosperity. Other NFL owners surpassing $1m in contributions include David Tepper of the Carolina Panthers ($3.33m), Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Falcons ($2.74m) and Woody Johnson of the New York Jets ($1.45m).
A small group of eight mega-donors accounted for over 80% of all contributions, totalling $105.96m. Alongside Adelson and Walton, this group includes Tepper, Blank, Johnson, Bill Foley of the Vegas Golden Knights, Ray Davis of the Texas Rangers and Charles Johnson of the San Francisco Giants. All except Blank donated predominantly to Republican causes.
The figures are likely a fraction of actual spending, as owners can use various methods to conceal political donations. Individual contributions are capped at $3,300 per candidate per election cycle, but unlimited amounts can be given to political action committees.
