Queen of Sports

Protest Planned For Outside Staples Center, Phil Jackson Responds

An Orange County, California political group has decide to hold a protest outside of Staples Center this afternoon in regards to comments made by Phil Jackson regarding the new Arizona immigration law.

The man organizing the protest, wrote about it on his blog late last week, he is the former Hispanic Outreach Director for the Republican Party of Orange County.

The protest stems from these comments, Coach Jackson made:

“If I heard it right the American people are really for stronger immigration laws, if I’m not mistaken. Where we stand as basketball teams, we should let that kind of play out and let the political end of that go where it’s going to go.”

The protest seems a little preemptive since it seems to us that Jackson is saying that he thinks sports and politics should remain separate. We are all for people speaking out and expressing their opinions about this controversial topic, like the Phoenix Suns organization and star player Steve Nash has. But we think that if Coach Jackson doesn’t want to speak on it, he has that right as well.

Because of the planned protest, Coach Jackson released a statement today:

“I’ve been involved in a number of progressive political issues over the years and I support those who stand up for their beliefs. It is what makes this country great. I have respect for those who oppose the new Arizona immigration law, but I am wary of putting entire sports organizations in the middle of political controversies. This was the message of my statement. I know others feel differently, even in the Lakers organization, but it was a personal statement. In this regard, it is my wish that this statement not be used by either side to rally activists.”

So there you have it!

President Obama Welcomes UConn’s Women’s Basketball Team To White House

President Barack Obama welcomed the University of Connecticut’s national champion women’s basketball team to the White House Monday, calling them the best team in all of sports last year, “by far.”

The UConn women won back-to-back NCAA championship earlier this year and are currently on a 78-game winning streak. It was the seventh overall title for the program.

During their trip to the White House last year, Obama invited the team for an impromptu basketball shooting contest on the White House basketball court, which the president won. No word yet if the team asked for a rematch.

President Obama Shares Thoughts On LeBron

Not to be outdone by New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, one of President Barack Obama’s advisors shared where he thinks LeBron James should play next season. The President’s choice? The Chicago Bulls of course!

“He doesn’t want to tamper,” senior adviser to the president — and former Bulls season-ticket holder — David Axelrod said. “But as a Chicago fan, the president thinks LeBron would look great in a Bulls uniform.”

The former U.S. senator from Illinois has never been shy about his favorite sports teams often sporting a Chicago White Sox baseball cap and he also gave the Chicago Bulls a tour of the White House.

Mayor Bloomberg Lobbies For LeBron

We don’t even have an NBA champion for this season yet but almost everyone’s focus is on the LeBron sweepstakes this summer. Since his team was bounced from the playoffs less than 24 hours ago, speculation has begun about where the superstar will end up.

New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg put his pitch in this morning on his radio show:

“I think it would be great for New York if he comes here . . . If he calls me and says, what’s it like to live in New York, I’ll give him a big sales pitch for New York. I love living in New York. My kids love living in New York. I think Lebron James would love living in New York.”

Where do you think LeBron should go?

Athletes In Politics

Recently, we’ve been seeing more athletes entering into the political arena.

Former Portland Trailblazer, Chris Dudley is currently preparing for his gubernatorial primary on May 18th.

Former Philadelphia Eagles fan favorite Joe Runyan is pursing a congressional seat.

Clint Didier, a former NFL tight end, is campaigning for the U.S. Senate in Washington state.

Another former NBA center, Shawn Bradley, is running for the Utah Legislature.

Many of the athlete candidates are as Republicans with platforms that run mainstream Republican views, lower taxes and limited government.

These athletes follow in the footsteps of some other recent sports guys pursuing politics, such as the late congressman and Republican vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp (football), former Rep. Steve Largent (football), Senator Jim Bunning (baseball), Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., (football) and former Senator and presidential candidate Bill Bradley (basketball). More recently, Democrat Dave Bing was elected mayor of Detroit, a city that loved him during his Hall of Fame career with the Pistons.

One of our favorite sports personalities, Charles Barkley has also expressed interest in venturing into politics but has yet to make the leap official.

What do you think about athletes in politics?

South Africa Not Welcoming Obama To World Cup

South Africa’s police commissioner said he’s hoping the United States will be knocked out in the first round of the World Cup, making security concerns easier to deal with. They see a visit from President Obama as a major security concern, and as of now it’s not clear if he will attend or not. General Bheki Cele told a parliamentary police committee meeting in Cape Town,
“We are told if they go to the second or third stage, the American president might come. Our famous prayer is that the Americans don’t make the second round. (That) they get eliminated and they go home.”

With South Africa’s high rate of violent crime and racial tension growing after the murder of a white supremacist leader last month, security is the main concern for officials responsible for the safety of tourists, fans, teams, and residents.

Tony Romo Runs Into Ex At After-Party

An awkward moment occurred a couple days ago when Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo who was with his current girlfriend Candice Crawford bumped into ex-girlfriend, singer Jessica Simpson.

Everyone was attending the Bloomberg/Vanity Fair afterparty for the White House Association Dinner. Wonder what the topic of conversation was????

Phoenix Suns Wearing “Los Suns” Jerseys Tonight

Tonight the Phoenix Suns, in Game 2 of their playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, will be wearing jerseys that read “Los Suns”. They will be playing in their hometown, and hope to send a political message in regard to the new anti-immigration law in the state. Robert Sarver, the team’s owner, said the jerseys will “honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league, the state of Arizona and our nation.”

The Suns are currently up 1-0 against the Spurs.

Athlete Sighting: John McEnroe

Former tennis champ John McEnroe was seen at Christie’s Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth where proceeds from the celebrity auction benefits environmental charities on Thursday night.

The round of golf with Bill Clinton that we mentioned yesterday went for $80,000! Great to see funds being raised for these important causes.

Want To Play Golf With Bill Clinton?

Do you want to play golf with former president Bill Clinton? Well, here’s your chance.

Clinton has joined with Christie’s Green Auction: A Bid To Save the Earth to raise awareness and funds for protection of the planet.

The 18 holes will be played at Trump National Golf Club Westchester, 30 minutes from Manhattan.

The current bid is at $32,000. Click here for more info.