The 2020 presidential race has seen unprecedented voter turnout, with over 66 million Americans casting their ballots early. This surge in civic engagement has been significantly influenced by activism within US sports, as athletes have used their platforms to promote social justice and voter participation.
LeBron James, a prominent voice in the movement, told the New York Times in June, 'Because of everything that’s going on, people are finally starting to listen to us. We feel like we’re finally getting a foot in the door.' The push for change began after the killing of George Floyd in May, leading to widespread protests against systemic racism. Sports leagues, including the NBA and WNBA, responded by featuring Black Lives Matter messages on courts and jerseys, and focusing on voter registration.
In August, the Milwaukee Bucks' walkout during the playoffs, triggered by the shooting of Jacob Blake, resulted in a pledge from the NBA to convert some 20 arenas into polling places. This move countered efforts to suppress voting, and early voting sites like Madison Square Garden in New York saw long lines of voters.
Michael Jordan, historically apolitical, has also taken a stand, donating $2.5 million to fight black voter suppression as part of a $100 million pledge to combat systemic racism. 'We understand that one of the main ways we can change systemic racism is at the polls,' he said in a July statement.
WNBA players have been particularly impactful. When Atlanta Dream co-owner and US Senator Kelly Loeffler criticised the Black Lives Matter movement, players endorsed her Democratic opponent Raphael Warnock. Their T-shirts sparked a fundraising windfall of $183,000, helping Warnock's campaign gain momentum. Warnock credited the players, saying, 'It was one of many turning points in the campaign.'
