Obama Classic: President Turns NBA's Folly into His Gain
Barack Obama has put several currently idle basketball players to work. With the NBA on lockdown, and games cancelled until December 15th, President Obama has announced the Obama Classic.
The exhibition game will be December 12th and played in the District. The proceeds will be going to Obama's reelection campaign.
Judging by the following list of players, the president had no problem finding willing participants.
Players Confirmed to Play (via donate.barackobama.com):
Ray Allen, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Vince Carter, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford, Kevin Durant, Baron Davis, Patrick Ewing, Derek Fisher, Rudy Gay, Blake Griffin, Tyler Hansbrough, Dwight Howard, Juwan Howard, Antawn Jamison, Dahntay Jones, Brandon Knight, Kevin Love, Jamal Mashburn, Cheryl Miller, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Chris Paul, Quentin Richardson, Doc Rivers, Steve Smith, Jerry Stackhouse, Amare Stoudemire, Tina Thompson, John Wall and Russell Westbrook
According to the Washington Post, "Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt said both the venue and Obama’s participation in the event have yet to be determined."
Tickets for the event start at $100 and top out at $5,000 for courtside seats.
Given the public's growing hunger for basketball, the quality of the participants, and the existing Obama supporters, this event is sure to quickly sell out.
This may prove to be the only time fans get a glimpse to see this many NBA players on one court. The players have taken the dispute to the courts by filing two antitrust lawsuits. This is not likely to result in a quick resolution of the NBA's labor woes.
This event is a natural for Obama. He is an avid basketball fan, and besides the benefit this gives to his campaign, it gives him a chance to watch some basketball. Obama was recently on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and admitted he was "a little heartbroken" over the lockout.
