The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is entering its third day. The first two days highlighted sports as a powerful symbol of pride and unity, reinforcing the role and influence of sports in our political and societal arena. Notable figures such as NBA head coach Steve Ker and FIFA World Cup winner Ali Krieger attended the convention, while delegates from various states used the roll calls to show their pride in their respective state’s sports.

On the first night of the convention, nine-time NBA champion and current Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of the 2024 election as a chance to overcome the divisive climate of a potential Trump second term. Coach Kerr also tried to preempt critics, stating, “I see the ‘shut up and whistle’ tweets being fired off as we speak, but I also knew when I was asked that as an American citizen, it is too important not to make your voice heard in an election of this magnitude.” With the DNC taking place this week at the United Center, Coach Kerr also mentioned his own historical experience in the field and the winning culture of his former team, the Chicago Bulls.

In addition to coach Kerr, world champion and NWSL champion Ali Krieger also attended the DNC and expressed her desire to be “on the right side of the good.” Krieger has long been a dedicated advocate for gender equality, both in sports and beyond. Her support for the Harris-Walz ticket is no surprise, as their politics align with Krieger’s ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality and pay equity. During her speech to the LGBT Caucus during the convention, Krieger addressed issues of pay equity and LGBTQ+ rights. Her attendance at the DNC follows her role in the equal pay lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation, which was settled in 2022.

DNC appeal

In addition to the individual sports greats who attended the DNC, many delegates used the roll calls to show their states’ pride in sports achievements. Connecticut delegates celebrated their University of Connecticut Huskies, while Indiana highlighted both the Indiana Hoosiers and the Indy 500, and Missouri made sure to remind everyone that the Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs are from their state, not Kansas. Perhaps the most enthusiastic display of their sports pride came from South Carolina delegates, who gave a passionate round of applause to their NCAA women’s basketball national champions, the South Carolina Lady Gamecocks.

Sports and political leadership

There are notable connections between Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and their involvement in sports and related activities. Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz has a background as a football coach, while presidential candidate Kamala Harris enjoyed dancing during her high school years. In a 1981 yearbook, Harris described her favorite pastime as “dancing with Midnight Magic,” a dance troupe she founded with her friend Wanda Kagan, and remembers their performances at community centers and fundraisers.

That current Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris is involved in dancing, an activity often referred to as a sport, is not surprising given her remarkable trajectory to one of the highest positions of leadership. Sports have long been seen as a critical way to give girls and women the experiences and tools they need to rise to leadership positions. Research shows that 94% of women in leadership roles played sports in their youth, 52% of them at the college level. While many credit sports with developing important skills like time management and teamwork, the benefits for girls and women go even deeper, particularly in the areas of failure and risk-taking. Unlike boys and men, who are often encouraged to take risks and are rewarded for doing so, girls and women are typically raised to avoid actions that might threaten the ideal of perfection. Participation in sport breaks this pattern by providing women and girls with opportunities to take risks, accept imperfection and experience failure, while learning to overcome challenges and succeed.

Overall, sport has never been free of political connections, and it unsurprisingly stood out this week at the DNC as an important symbol of unity and engagement in the political arena. From coach Steve Kerr’s call for progress to Ali Krieger’s support for gender equality, in addition to enthusiastic declarations of national pride, the influence of sport has only further solidified in both personal and political contexts.