The reason for the Texans’ supremacy in the political arena is owner Robert McNair, an energy executive who is a liberal donor to conservative causes. The study finds that McNair has donated $215,200 of his estimated $1.4 billion net worth to political causes since January 2009, “almost strictly to Republicans.”
Overall, Texans’ players, executives and coaches have totaled $293,100 in political contributions — far ahead of runner-up San Diego. Chargers personnel gave $171,500 to federal politicians and committees since January 2009. The Spanos family, which owns the team, has been tied to Texas Gov. Rick Perry‘s 2012 presidential campaign.
So we can add to our list of items that divide people politically, sports teams.
Overall, the teams that favored Republicans most with their campaign cash included the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens, all of which donated at least 70 percent of their contributions to the GOP.
Meanwhile, the teams that favored Democrats most with their political donations included the Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, all of which donated at least 70 percent of their political contributions to Democrats.
