Voting season is upon us.
If you are American, whether in the continental United States or abroad, you have the right to vote for the person who will lead our nation for the next four years.
The NBA may not be abuzz with politics right now, but there are definitely players who realize the significance of this election.
Miami Heat All-Star forward and reigning NBA MVP LeBron James is backing the incumbent, President Barack Obama.
This is not James’ first time plugging Obama’s campaign.
In 2008, James partnered with music mogul and friend Jay-Z to put on a free concert at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio in support of Obama. The irony in this is that Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has been a staunch supporter of Republican candidates over the years.
President Obama seems to be the select choice among players, garnering campaign support from many current and former NBA athletes.
Former Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fish—most famous for his run as a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and his work as NBA Players Association President—was asked to speak at a campaign event with First Lady Michelle Obama in Charlotte on Monday.
If you’re curious to whom NBA players, coaches and executives are giving their political support, here’s a rough indicator (a list compiled by HoopsHype.com—using information gathered by OpenSecrets.org—detailing who in the NBA has donated money to campaigns this year and to whom they donated).
Interestingly enough, among NBA political supporters, all five players and six coaches that were listed as campaign donors gave exclusively to President Obama. NBA owners and executives are much more diverse in their support.
Some prominent names in support of Obama: New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, Lakers owner Johnny Buss, NBA Commissioner David Stern and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver.
Those supporting Romney include: Miami Heat president Pat Riley, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, Knicks owner James Dolan and Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett.
Whether you support the Democrats, Republicans or stand somewhere in between, be sure that your voice is heard. Polls are open Tuesday from 7:00 am until 6:00 – 8:00 pm (closing times vary state-to-state).
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Michael Brumagin is the “Tweet of the Day” columnist for Sheridan Hoops and a sports correspondent for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter.