“When Sports and Politics Cross Paths”—The Sunday Political Brunch - March 12, 2023

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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Protest in WV PHOTO: Mark Curtis

This week, West Virginia became ground-zero for a controversial issue that has also been debated in many other states, and that is whether transgender students can compete on sports teams, with those with whom they gender identify. That’s because the state’s transgender athlete law is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the first such case of many similar state laws to make that legal journey. The whole issue does underscore the often-difficult dance between the worlds of politics and sports in this country. Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“The Integrity of Women’s Sports Act” – In April 2021, the West Virginia Legislature passed what was called “The Integrity of Women’s Sports Act.” Basically, it said if you were born biologically male, you could play boys’ sports, and if you were born biologically female, you could only play women’s sports. Governor Jim Justice, who is a legendary high school basketball coach for both boys’ and girls’ teams, quickly signed the bill into law. “The state’s definition of a female and male, it’s based upon biological sex,” said Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) West Virginia, who is now defending the law in federal court.

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“A Not So Fast Break” – The ACLU and LGBTQ civil rights groups filed for an injunction to prevent the law from taking effect, and hoping to get it struck down for good. “The West Virginia Trans Coalition as well as other LGBTQ groups in this state, are going to continue to push back against these bans. And we are going to do everything we can to ensure if trans individuals want to play sports, they get to play sports,” said Ash Orr of the West Virginia Trans Coalition.

 

“The Legal Showdown” – True to their word, the ACLU and LGBTQ groups filed for an injunction in federal court, saying the law violated Title IX, a 50-year-old law that requires equal spending and access in both male and female athletics. The U.S. District Court upheld West Virginia’s right to pass such a law, but that decision was appealed to the Fourth District Court of Appeals, which issued an injunction preventing the implementation of the law. “These bans are unconstitutional and again they are based on bigotry,  and they are looking for a way to silence the trans community,” said the WV Trans Coalition’s Ash Orr.

 

“Next Stop: The U.S. Supreme Court” – The injunction halting the ban’s enforcement came on a 2 to 1 vote at a panel of the Fourth District Court of Appeals. While it was not heard by the full circuit, the State of West Virginia has the right to bypass that step, and go straight to the Supreme Court in Washington, DC., so that’s where it’s headed. “All along, West Virginia has been asserting that our goal is to protect the safety of women and to make sure that women are going to be able to compete under fair circumstances,” said West Virginia Attorney General Morrisey.

 

“15-Love” – Tennis star Novak Djokovic wants to play in the renowned Miami Open in Florida. Many have him ranked as the number-one men’s player in the world. But, the U.S. still requires international visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Djokovic, who has previously said he remains unvaccinated, had applied for a special grant to enter the U.S. ahead of the Miami Open and another tournament. So far, no deal. Enter Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) Florida and a likely 2024 presidential candidate into the fray. DeSantis is a hard-core anti-vaccination mandate guy, who wants the tennis star given an exemption. DeSantis said he’d do most anything for Djokovic to compete in the Miami Open tennis tournament. “I would run a boat from the Bahamas here for him. I would do that a hundred percent,” DeSantis said in Tampa at a Wednesday news conference.  While I doubt he’ll really run a boat, this could really help him among anti-vax voters. That’s because DeSantis is a sitting governor, versus Trump who is a former president. DeSantis still has skin in the game.

 

“The Sports Meets Politics Equation” – As we’ve seen in politics for decades, a lot of candidates like to align themselves and get the endorsements of famous athletes, musicians, and movie stars. The theory is, “If they like the artist, jock, or star that’s hanging out with me, maybe they’ll vote for me?” But it cuts both ways. Former President Donald Trump is a “lightning rod” so maybe it hits him with a dual intensity. Trump backed former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville in a bitter Senate race against Trump’s former Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Tuberville won decisively. But, then Trump backed former football star Herschel Walker in a U.S. Senate bid against Sen. Rafael Warnock (D) Georgia, and Warnock was re-elected hands down. So the sports-politics metaphor is no guarantee, just as the Hollywood-politics partnerships don’t always play out. It often depends on the personalities in play.

 

“Who Won?” - When it comes to the mixture of sports and politics, it’s really a mixed bag. Quite often, the transition from one realm to the other has been difficult, while others found success. Former pro football star quarterback Jack Kemp became a prominent budget-balancing Congressman and the eventual 1996 Republican vice-presidential nominee. He had a great run in both careers. And certainly, NBA Hall of Famer Bill Bradley had a notable Senate career and was a legitimate White House prospect in 2000. But, more often than not, the transition from successful sports star to political star for others, has not been so smooth.

 

“And They Called Him Mr. President” – Perhaps the most famous athlete-turned-politician in U.S. history is former President Gerald Ford. He was an All-American center at the football powerhouse, the University of Michigan. While he had professional options, Ford chose Yale Law School and some collegiate coaching opportunities, instead of the NFL. He had critics. Former President Lyndon Johnson did not like Congressman Ford, saying once, “he played too many downs without his helmet on.” No matter. Ford made it to the Oval Office, proving some can excel and prosper in both sports and politics.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and the entire Washington, DC media market. He is also a MINDSETTER™ contributing political writer and analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.


 

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