The head coach and players of Team USA’s women’s basketball squad made a significant political statement by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential bid during the ongoing Olympics. This endorsement marks the first major political move by a top American team at this year’s Games and comes at a crucial time in the presidential race back home.
Vice President Harris recently took over the Democratic nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection bid and support his Vice President. She is now actively campaigning against former President Donald Trump, who is seeking to reclaim the office he lost to Biden in 2020.
The players of Team USA, particularly those in the WNBA, have been more open to engaging in political discourse compared to some of their counterparts in other professional sports leagues. Breanna Stewart, a power forward for the New York Liberty, emphasized the importance of supporting Harris due to their shared values on issues such as voting rights and reproductive rights.
Stewart highlighted the alignment between Harris' platform and the team's focus on advocating for voter registration and access to voting resources. The endorsement serves as a way for the players to unite behind a candidate who represents their beliefs and priorities.
By publicly backing Vice President Harris, Team USA’s women's basketball team is not only showing support for her presidential bid but also using their platform to promote important social and political causes. This move underscores the team's commitment to using their influence to drive positive change and encourage civic engagement among their fans and supporters.
