This week was one where a highly watched presidential debate proved to be a major emphasis point of this year’s campaign – a debate that was thoroughly won by Vice President Kamala Harris. Even Republicans admitted that Tuesday debate on ABC was all MVP, all the time.
Posting the full debate and calling it an “ad.” Cheeky.
We are less than two months from Election Day – November 5th. If it is one thing our WNBA players will do it will be to get off the sidelines and onto the main lines.
Consider the pregame wears for the New York Liberty prior to a recent home contest with the Seattle Storm. Notice who’s face is on the shirts worn by Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Kennedy Burke, and Courtney Vandersloot.
The winning vibes led to another win on the court for the Liberty as they dispatched the Seattle Storm by a final of 77-70. Laney-Hamilton was New York’s leading bucket-getter with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists. Sloot also dished out five dimes.
Speaking of pregame fits, notice that what Brittney Griner wore prior to a recent contest at Footprint Center vs. the Washington Mystics? Arizona could be the state that decides this whole thing so we are confident that Valley voters are paying close attention.
Griner wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden during the awful Russia ordeal that she voted for the first time in 2020 – and it was for Biden. Needless to say, BG will be at the polls this year as well.
Speaking of Mercury notables, one knows that Natasha Cloud is as clued into politics as any WNBA player. It is only fitting that her career did include a stint with the Mystics. She watched the debate and was tweeting about it. Cloud’s reaction…
Cloud on…he-who-shall-not-be-named.
In news that was less ballyhooed, there was also a letter that was signed by nearly 90 prominent businessmen that threw their support behind Vice President Harris. A number of noteworthy names were on the list as well.
One name that could stick out to sports fans is that of Ted Leonsis who has had a history of supporting Democratic candidates and causes. Leonsis, of course, owns Monumental Sports – the entity over the Mystics as well as the NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL’s Washington Capitals and the Monumental Sports Network.
Also under the Monumental Sports umbrella is Capital One Arena, Wizards District Gaming, Caps Gaming and the G-League’s Capital City Go Go.
Also on that list of 88 businessmen was Magic Johnson – who has an ownership stake in the Los Angeles Sparks. One may also have noticed Maverick Carter’s name on that list too. He is, of course, the longtime friend and right-hand man for LeBron James.
Going back to the debate, as if it was not already a great night for Team Blue, a bit of news dropped about a major celebrity endorsement the other side had salivated over for months.
Taylor Swift, who the other side had felt would receive her blessing and even made AI deepfakes suggesting so, revealed on her Instagram that she would put her support behind the Harris-Walz ticket. This should not be much of a shock given she supported Biden-Harris in 2020.
What makes this notable in WNBA circles is it was liked by many – including a certain Indiana Fever rookie.
Clark – an unapologetic Swifitie – liked that post and already had her mentions flooded with people saying that would no longer support her.
It was if her “support” from many individuals was merely nothing more than their opportunity to express their vitriol towards Black women – including Angel Reese who so many want to be her “rival.” Something tells us this may be an opportunity for Clark to find out who her real fans are, but our guess is she will still sleep well at night.
Then – something amazing happened. Clark’s Instagram was then flooded – with positive comments.
Her Indiana Fever are in the playoffs for the first time since 2016 – Tamika Catchings’ final season in the WNBA. Also – between Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson and Eli Lilly among others – she is swimming in endorsement money like Katie Ledecky swims at the Olympics.
Regardless, this election will be decided by a handful of votes and there is no excuse for us to sit on the sidelines. A turnout record was set in 2020 despite a pandemic and it can be broken again this year.
Absentee. Mail-in. Early. Election Day.
Reese said it best…
