NFL owners' political donations surge to $28 million, lean Republican

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NFL
NFL owners' political donations surge to $28 million, lean Republican

Tom Schad James Ward Palm Springs | Desert Sun
Published 2:42 p.m. PT Nov. 1, 2024 | Updated 2:42 p.m. PT Nov. 1, 2024

NFL owners have donated at least $28 million to federal political candidates and causes during the 2023-24 election cycle − a hefty sum that, according to USA TODAY Sports research, marks a sevenfold increase from the amount spent over the same period four years ago.

The significant increase in owners' political giving can be attributed largely − though not exclusively − to the addition of the Walton-Penner ownership group, which purchased the Denver Broncos in 2022. According to Federal Election Commission filings reviewed by USA TODAY Sports, Broncos co-owner Rob Walton has donated more than $16.5 million between January 1, 2023, and October 1, while the team's controlling owner Greg Penner and co-owner Carrie Walton Penner are also among the biggest donors in NFL ownership. The Penners, who oversee the team's day-to-day operations, gave $1.2 million, including a $1 million donation from Carrie Walton Penner to a Democratic political action committee earlier this year.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank ($3.3 million), Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper ($2.9 million) and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson ($1.8 million) are among the other NFL leaders who have eclipsed seven figures in donations. Of the three, only Blank's political giving has favored Democrats; He had donated more than $1.3 million to Kamala Harris' joint fundraising committee as of October 1, while also speaking out publicly to support her.

"Kamala Harris is the right leader at a critical time in our country who can bring people together and help business and communities thrive," he said in a statement later released by the "Business Leaders for Harris" advocacy group.

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