Barack Obama had Michael Jordan’s back — the president said the current Olympic team couldn’t touch the original Dream Team. Now, Jordan has Obama’s back.
Jordan will headline a celebrity hoops fundraising event with the money going to Obama’s re-election campaign, according to Buzzfeed Sports (via Ball Don’t Lie).The classic was originally scheduled for December of 2011, but was postponed because of the end of the NBA labor lockout.
According to the campaign email, the event will also include Kyrie Irving, Carmelo Anthony, Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing and former WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes.
With Obama being a huge hoops fan — he had a court added to the White House grounds — this event makes a lot of sense. Obama has had NBA players over for pickup games before.
When this was planned previously — when everyone thought the lockout would still be going on — the list of players was long and impressive and included LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Grant Hill, Shane Battier and many more. We don’t know the time or location of this game yet, so the final rosters are not set. But expect big names.
The email to donors said that anyone who chips in to the re-election effort stands a chance to play in the game along side the legendary players. Of course, as with all political campaigns of any party, you can bet the size of the donation certainly helps your chance of gaining access.
What is notable is how during his playing days Jordan was apolitical to the point of controversy at times, once saying “Republicans buy shoes, too.” And his team is in a red state. But Jordan has decided to back Obama, and you can bet it has to do with a lot more than the Dream Team.