Leigh Steinberg said backlash to Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart introducing Donald Trump at a May 22 New York rally is "overblown," arguing athletes have long supported Democratic candidates with less scrutiny.
Dart’s role was limited to a "Go Big Blue!" chant and a brief introduction, and Steinberg said the quarterback wisely avoided a partisan speech that could have alienated fans across the political spectrum.
Steinberg said his main concern came when Trump invoked Dart while discussing transgender athletes, a polarizing issue he did not want the rookie quarterback pulled into.
From a business standpoint, Steinberg said the appearance could raise Dart’s profile, open endorsement opportunities and help him build contacts with business owners aligned with Trump.
Steinberg tied that view to 2008, when a planned "Athletes for Obama" coalition was shelved after John McCain cast Obama as a "celebrity" candidate, though many athletes later endorsed Obama individually.
Is the era of 'Republicans buy sneakers, too' officially over for the modern superstar athlete?
What is the new playbook for athletes balancing personal beliefs with lucrative endorsements in a polarized era?