The upcoming 2024 presidential elections have ignited widespread attention across the nation, especially with Kamala Harris replacing Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate. This significant political development has drawn support from various sectors, including the WNBA, where some players seem to be rallying behind Harris’s candidacy. Among those showing support is Caitlin Clark, a star rookie in the league.
Clark’s name entered the political conversation following a noteworthy event on September 10th, when Taylor Swift shared a strong endorsement of Kamala Harris on Instagram. In her post, Swift stated her reasons for supporting Harris, emphasizing her belief in Harris’s commitment to championing the rights and causes Swift deems essential. She encouraged her fans to make their own choices based on thorough research but was clear about her stance: “I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.” Swift’s post resonated with many, and among the millions of likes it received, fans noticed that Caitlin Clark was one of them.
This sparked a conversation about whether Clark’s political support was genuine or influenced by her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery. While Clark had not previously commented on politics or expressed any support for Harris publicly, her boyfriend, McCaffery, had shown his backing of the Vice President on multiple occasions. In July, McCaffery had posted a campaign video for Harris on his Instagram account, featuring her message set to Beyoncé’s song “Freedom,” with the tagline, “We Choose Freedom.” McCaffery’s support for Harris has led some to speculate whether his political views have influenced Clark’s.
Clark’s political stance has become a topic of discussion in the sports world, with polls asking whether her involvement in politics will affect her basketball career. The larger debate has also raised questions about whether her decision to show support is motivated by personal belief or external influence.
Taylor Swift’s endorsement also sent ripples across the wider political landscape. Besides expressing her support for Harris, Swift criticized former President Donald Trump in her post and added a jab at Ohio Senator JD Vance. While her post was a call for fans to engage in thoughtful research before voting, her clear preference for Harris garnered widespread attention, including from the WNBA community.
In fact, Caitlin Clark and McCaffery are not the only ones in the basketball world showing support for Kamala Harris. Before a game on September 5th, the New York Liberty team wore white t-shirts with a black-and-white image of Harris. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, a player on the Liberty team, explained that their decision to wear the shirts was meant to support their preferred candidate in the upcoming election, adding that the timing of the election was self-explanatory.
The t-shirts featured Harris’s image along with the word “Pyres” written in golden script. The gesture was subtle but received attention, particularly when player Sabrina Ionescu, who sported the shirt, smiled broadly while walking to the locker room, drawing further focus to Harris’s image.
This isn’t the first time WNBA players have voiced support for political causes. A’ja Wilson, a prominent player in the league, had also extended her support for Harris earlier this year, joining forces with Breanna Stewart and others as part of the WNBA’s Social Justice Council. WNBA players have often used their platform to advocate for various social and political issues, with many continuing to speak out as the 2024 elections approach.
The strong display of support for Harris among WNBA players mirrors a broader trend of athletes taking political stances, reflecting their values and beliefs. As Taylor Swift’s endorsement and the backing of figures like Caitlin Clark continue to make waves, the intersection of sports and politics will remain a hot topic, especially as more athletes and celebrities voice their opinions in the lead-up to the election.
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