NFL Team Owners Donate To Political Organizations & Candidates For Midterm Elections

The Players’ Coalition, a group formed by Colin Kaepernick, urged Americans to vote in Tuesday’s midterm elections like “our lives depended on it.”  The statement was signed not only by Kaepernick but also by Josh Norman, Chris Long, Kelvin Beachum, and Matt Forte. While the group doesn’t endorse any candidates or parties, they have been critical of President Donald Trump and Republican policies and tactics.

NFL Owners Make Big Midterm Donations

According to opensecrets.org, NFL owners consistently donated to Republican owners. Jimmy Haslam, the owner of the Cleveland Browns, donated to 16 Republican candidates and PACs. Texans owner Bob McNair donated $1 million to a Super PAC designed exclusively to maintain a Republican majority in Congress. He also donated $101.7 thousand to the Republican National Committee eight times. His list of 2018 donations, all Republican, was long. Only Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross donated consistently to Democratic candidates this year.

But what was more common was not contributing at all. In total, 63 owners, GMs and head coaches made no contributions at all this year. The 49ers, Rams, Saints, Panthers, Packers, Colts, Bengals, Ravens and Jets had none of those three make any contributions.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

But that’s not to say they’re apolitical. For example, Jed York, owner of the 49ers, and John Lynch have both made contributions to Republicans in the past. Just because they didn’t contribute this year doesn’t mean they don’t care about politics.

What party does your team’s personnel tend to favor?

Republicans: 49ers, Rams, Cardinals, Buccaneers, Saints, Panthers, Lions, Bears, Redskins, Giants, Cowboys, Raiders, Chargers, Chiefs, Broncos, Titans, Texans.

Article by Bill Piersa