Presidential Candidates from Team Trump Making Strides Towards the White House - Notable Athletes Participating in the 2024 Presidential Elections
In the heated race of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, athletes emerged as influential cultural figures, their voices resonating beyond the sports arena. This newfound role, however, did not translate into a decisive impact on the election outcome.
Nick Bosa, defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers, and Dana White, President and CEO of UFC, were among those who publicly supported Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Steve Kerr, Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, and LeBron James, four-time NBA Champion, backed Kamala Harris. The Democrats focused on winning over young male voters, organising an Athletes for Harris group, which featured over 75 athletes endorsing Harris.
Despite these endorsements, the election results were primarily influenced by established political candidates, with Trump and Harris dominating the headlines. Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer, was a regular on the Trump campaign trail, while Plenty of WNBA players showed support for Harris.
A 2025 YouGov study revealed that athletes like LeBron James and Caitlin Clark are not only sports stars but also brand influencers. Their opinions on social issues resonate widely, indicating their growing stature. However, this cultural weight does not directly translate into electoral outcomes.
Some athletes have ventured into politics, such as former NFL star Herschel Walker, who was active in Republican politics but did not run in the 2024 presidential race. Instead, he was nominated by Donald Trump for a diplomatic post after his 2022 Senate bid.
The NFL, NBA, and WNBA all encouraged voting through initiatives like NFL Votes and "Get in the Game. Vote.". James' More than a Vote initiative, launched in 2020, shifted focus in the 2024 election cycle to women's reproductive rights.
In conclusion, while athletes wield considerable cultural influence and can shape discourse on social issues, their endorsements in the 2024 presidential election did not have a measurable impact on election outcomes. They served more as symbolic voices that engage particular demographics rather than as direct political kingmakers. The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election attracted more attention than any major sporting event worldwide, but the election's outcome was determined by traditional political factors rather than athlete endorsements.
[1] YouGov, "Athletes as Influencers: The Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Public Opinion" (2025) [2] CNN, "Herschel Walker: The NFL Star Turned Republican Politician" (2022) [3] ESPN, "Stephen A. Smith Denies 2024 Presidential Run Rumours" (2023)
- In the realm of general-news and political discourse, athletes like LeBron James and Herschel Walker have emerged as brand influencers, their opinions on social issues, such as politics and sports, widely resonating in the blogosphere.
- Despite these influential voices, the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election outcomes were primarily influenced by established political candidates, with casino figures like Hulk Hogan and Donald Trump dominating headlines, while athletes served more symbolically, engaging specific demographics rather than acting as direct political kingmakers.
