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Sports figures take sides with campaign donations

BY JIM BAUMBACH | jim.baumbach@newsday.com

April 27, 2008

The world of sports is a multibillion- dollar enterprise that allows owners, team executives, head coaches and players to walk around with money clips filled with hundreds and investment accounts stuffed with millions. People with substantial money are likely to back up their political affiliations with donations. A quick search through the Federal Election Committee's public records shows contributions by several dozen sports figures.

Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appear to be Barack Obama supporters. Last year each gave him $2,300, the limit for individual contributions.

Jordan's contribution is especially interesting because he has always gone to great lengths to not pick sides in any battle. Widely viewed as the professional athlete who took commercial endorsements to a new level, Jordan once reportedly told a North Carolina Democrat who was seeking his support, "Republicans buy sneakers, too."

Search for Jordan's name on the Federal Election Committee Web site and you'll get only two other sure matches: He also contributed to Bill Bradley's presidential run eight years ago and to Obama's Senate run four years ago.

But his latest contribution, filed Feb. 23, 2007, is somewhat masked. He lists his occupation as "retired" - even though he is a part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats - and the address he uses on the form is the Washington, D.C., office of his longtime agent, David Falk.

Most others from the sports world who contributed politically to this presidential race are not hard to find. Among the other Obama contributors are Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker, Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee and Chicago Bulls guard Chris Duhon.

Knicks guard Stephon Marbury also contributed to Obama's campaign, and he listed a P.O. box in Durham, N.C., as his address. Allan Houston's $2,300 contribution was dated Oct. 30, 2007, and he listed the Knicks as his employer. But that was wishful thinking - his comeback attempt ended 10 days before that.

Alonzo Mourning's contributions make him seem like someone who can't make a decision - he gave $2,300 to Obama and $1,000 to Hillary Clinton, both on March 27, 2007. But there's no debating his political allegiance. On Sept. 10, 2004, the Miami Heat center wrote a $25,000 check to the Democratic congressional campaign.

Clinton's political fundraising effort is lagging behind Obama's overall, but in the sports world, she more than holds her own. Among her supporters are Knicks owner James Dolan, baseball great Hank Aaron, Rangers president Glen Sather and Knicks assistant coach Herb Williams.

George Steinbrenner also gave $2,300 to Clinton on Oct. 23, 2007 (the same day Don Mattingly interviewed for the manager's job). The rest of the Yankees brass, however, predictably funded Rudy Giuliani's failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination. That group includes team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and even former Boss-to-be Steve Swindal. His contribution is dated March 27, 2007, five days before Steinbrenner publicist Howard Rubenstein announced Swindal's impending divorce from Steinbrenner's daughter Jennifer - and the Yankees family.

Up north in Red Sox Nation, it's interesting to note that three main voices differ on their politics. Team president Larry Lucchino contributed to Clinton, general manager Theo Epstein gave to Obama and Curt Schilling went with Republican nominee John McCain.

The money trail

Some of the sports figures who have contributed to the presidential race:

BARACK OBAMA

Dusty Baker, Reds manager $1,300

Chris Duhon, Bulls guard $2,300

Rich Eisen, broadcaster $500

Theo Epstein, Red Sox GM $1,000

Marshall Faulk, broadcaster $1,000

Darryl Hamilton, MLB senior specialist $750