Published on September 14, 2024, 12:36 am

In the tumultuous and racially divisive US Senate race of 1990 in North Carolina between Republican Jesse Helms and his Democratic contender, Harvey Gantt, basketball legend Michael Jordan chose neutrality. The North Carolina native and University of North Carolina Tar Heels champion was candid when question regarding his potential endorsement for Gantt: “Republicans buy sneakers too.” His comment not only epitomized his stance against brand politicization but also reinforced the success of Air Jordans, a product introduced by Nike six years prior.

Jordan’s decision to stay true to political neutrality rather than succumbing to the stifling mandate of political correctness notably drew criticism from then-President Barack Obama during the 2020 ESPN docuseries “The Last Dance”. However, Jordan remained unaffected by this critique maintaining his infamous detachment from political activism. As he explained it during the documentary series; “I never saw myself as an activist. I identified as a basketball player.”

Jordan’s refusal to allow politics infiltrate his brand sparks questions relevant in today’s hyper-politicized era: Do Republicans still purchase sneakers? Celebrity endorsements are often seen affecting sales patterns, as seen with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s case. In her Instagram post endorsing Kamala Harris for president on account of several liberal causes like “LGBTQ+ rights”, she seemed oblivious or unconcerned about potential conservative or Republican patrons.

This is even more noteworthy considering her current relationship with Kansas City Chiefs all-pro tight end Travis Kelce. Figures close to Kelce exude strong conservative Christian values, such as star Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who openly expresses gratitude before each game and whose wife, Brittany gave open support Donald Trump on social media.

Despite being asked for his thoughts on Swift’s presidential endorsement, Mahomes has held aloof from making any such declarations himself- hinting at Jordanian-esque neutrality. His stand is noble—encouraging voter registration and independent research but refraining from pushing personal political affiliations.

Mahomes, like Jordan before him, grasps what Swift seemingly overlooks—people engage with sports and music as an escape from relentless news cycles and political hubbub. Their large-scale platforms should aim to alleviate societal pressures rather than adding to them. Celebrities’ endorsements hold immense sway and in these indeterminate times, we could benefit more from those that uplift us rather than those triggering conflict.

Although the world of entertainment and politics might seem parallel, intersections often occur. Our trusted news platforms aim to decipher these overlapped realms for our viewers holding a Christian worldview. Maintain an enlightened perspective of the real news unfolding around you by staying updated on the latest breaking news across various sectors.