LeBron James recently floated the idea on social media that he’s interested in buying a WNBA franchise in response to the recent Georgia Senate runoff elections.
What’s going on?
James — who helped the Los Angeles Lakers inch out a 96-94 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night — tweeted the idea of putting together an ownership group to buy the Atlanta Dream WNBA team.
- “Think I’m gone put together an ownership group for the The Dream. Whose in? #BlackVotesMatter.”
Think I’m gone put together an ownership group for the The Dream. Whose in? #BlackVotesMatter✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/9wclgdED2w
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 6, 2021
The Atlanta Dream’s co-owner is Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who was projected to lose in her runoff election Tuesday night.
Per CNN, Loeffler caused controversy in the WNBA since she said she does not support the Black Lives Matter movement. She said politics and sports should not mix.
- Her disapproval of the Black Lives Matter movement led to Dream players posing for a photo in which they wore “Vote Warnock” shirts.
Loeffler has not suggested she plans to sell the Dream. She currently co-owns the team with Mary Brock.
The WNBA’s impact
Social media has made a point that the WNBA’s involvement might have swung the polls. For example, Raphael Warnock polled at 9% in August 2020 when he got the WNBA’s endorsement over Loeffler, who had 26% at the time, according to ESPN.
- Fast forward to now, and Warnock appears to have captured the seat.