Keep Politics Out of Sports? It Was Never Out

Originally published in Tampa Bay Sports Journal

“Keep politics out of sports.”

We hear that phrase whenever a politician steps onto a field, sits courtside, or appears on a stadium video board. USF fans repeated the sentiment after prominent Republican politicians took part in the Bulls’ football home opener against FIU.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody participated in the ceremonial coin toss, while U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for Florida governor, operated the T-shirt cannon. Some fans booed. Critics questioned why a public university gave active Republican candidates such visible roles at a sporting event.

They have every right to ask that question - and every right to boo. It's a free country, after all.

But the reaction also raises another question: When did we decide that politics and sports live in separate worlds?

They never have.

Politics and sports have always shared the same space

Presidents, governors, senators, mayors, and candidates regularly attend sporting events. They throw first pitches, flip coins, celebrate championship teams, sit courtside, and pose with athletes. Politicians know sports bring communities together and bring thousands of people into one place.

Barack Obama regularly attended sporting events during his presidency, including NCAA basketball, Washington Nationals baseball, and Washington Mystics basketball. He threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Nationals’ Opening Day in 2010.

Donald Trump has also made sports a highly visible part of his public appearances, attending major events across professional and international sports.

Different politicians, parties, crowds.

Same intersection between sports and public life. Moreover, that connection extends far beyond who sits in the stands.

Every professional sports team has owners and executives who make decisions, establish rules, and control money. Universities employ athletic directors, administrators, compliance officers, and other officials who govern what happens away from the field. Donors and sponsors provide money. Governing bodies establish regulations. Cities and counties decide on stadiums, infrastructure, land, and development.

Sports do not operate outside politics, business, or government.

They never did.

Sports already depend on money, power, and public policy

Look at Tampa Bay right now.

USF continues to invest heavily in athletics and plans to open its new on-campus football stadium in 2027. The university wants stronger recruiting, greater student involvement, deeper alum connections, and a larger national profile.

At the same time, the Tampa Bay region continues to debate the Rays' future, including where the team will play and what a future stadium and surrounding development could require of local governments, private investors, and communities.

Those issues affect far more than a final score. They involve land, development, public priorities, infrastructure, and money.

Those conversations deserve public attention too.

Yet a politician firing T-shirts into a football crowd can sometimes generate more outrage than complicated decisions that may shape a community for decades.

That contradiction deserves examination.

The real issue at USF: FAIRNESS

The criticism surrounding the USF game also includes an important distinction. Some critics did not object simply because politicians attended. They objected because Republican candidates received major ceremonial roles at a public university event and questioned whether USF would offer politicians from another party the same opportunity.

That represents a legitimate question for a public institution.

But it does not prove that politicians have no place at sporting events.

David Jolly, the Democratic nominee for governor, also attends public gatherings as part of his campaign. Candidates from both parties go where people gather: festivals, community events, restaurants, universities, rallies, and sporting events.

That is what politicians do.

And from a political communications standpoint, the USF appearance accomplished something important: people noticed.

Donalds and Moody received media coverage. Fans talked about them. Social media users discussed their appearances. News outlets covered the controversy.

Cheers create attention. Boos can create attention too.

The politicians walked onto a football field, and days later people were still talking about it.

Public figures understand that dynamic.

USF's growth will bring more public figures

We also should expect more prominent people to appear at USF events as the university gains greater national recognition.

That comes with a bigger stage.

Fans want successful teams. Students want exciting games. Universities want television exposure, stronger recruiting, more donors, and national relevance. Greater visibility naturally attracts politicians, business leaders, celebrities, and other public figures.

Fans will like some of them.

They will dislike others.

They can cheer. They can boo. They can question the university. All of those reactions belong in a free society.

But “keep politics out of sports” oversimplifies a relationship that has existed for generations.

A better question asks whether public institutions treat political figures consistently.

Would USF give a Democratic candidate the same opportunity?

Does the university enforce clear rules for political appearances?

Where does a ceremonial appearance end and campaign promotion begin?

Those questions deserve answers because they focus on transparency and fairness, not pretending sports exist in a political vacuum.

Florida voters will get a much more consequential opportunity to express their political opinions in November. They will cast ballots and decide who represents them.

Until then, candidates will continue going where voters gather.

Sometimes that means a Labor Day picnic, a community festival, and a college football game.

USF wants a national stage. A national stage attracts public figures, including people whom some fans will strongly oppose.

Sports and politics will keep crossing paths because both occupy the same public space.

The stadium has never held only athletes and fans.

It also holds money, influence, community identity, public policy, and politics.