• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

More Than A Vote Athletes Sign Letter Against Voter Suppression

  • LeBron James helped launch the organization in June.
  • Monday’s letter marks the first time the complete list of founders has been revealed.
Prominent Athletes Behind More Than a Vote Sign Letter Highlighting Black Voter Suppression
Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

The group of prominent athletes and entertainers behind More Than A Vote, a voting rights coalition launched by LeBron James in June, has signed an open letter and call to action to fans highlighting the issue of Black voter suppression.

Monday’s letter marks the first time the complete list of More Than A Vote founders has been revealed. It includes, in addition to James: Emmanuel Acho, Ray Allen, Jozy Altidore, Tim Anderson, Mo Bamba, Odell Beckham Jr., Eric Bledsoe, Toni Braxton, Bun B, Caron Butler, Carlton Davis, Skylar Diggins, Jeremy Ebobisse, Mike Evans, Allyson Felix, Draymond Green, Brittney Griner, Kevin Hart, Udonis Haslem, Andrew Hawkins, Jason Heyward, DeAndre Hopkins, Alvin Kamara, Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry, Patrick Mahomes, CJ McCollum, Renee Montgomery, Justin Morrow, Arike Ogunbowale, Dare Ogunbowale, Chiney Ogwumike, Jeff Okudah, Kendrick Perkins, David Price, Jalen Rose, CC Sabathia, Ben Simmons, Sloane Stephens, Marcus Stroman, Maria Taylor, Kristi Toliver, Michael Vick, Bobby Wagner, A’ja Wilson and Trae Young.

“We are not politicians or policy leaders and we are not trying to be. Our organization is not here to tell you who to vote for,” the letter reads. “As individuals, we may choose to talk about specific policies or candidates, but as a team we came together to focus on one issue this year: systemic racism’s impact on our right to vote.”

In the letter, the group details three threats to Black voters. 

The first is the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately affects Black communities. In counties where Black people are the majority, the letter says, death rates are 3.5 times higher than the national average. 

“If we don’t address this now, no joke, many Black people will be forced to put their health at risk just to cast a ballot,” it reads. 

Over the past few weeks, the organization has begun to partner with sports teams and universities to turn their facilities into voting sites with adequate space for social distancing come November. Last week, the group partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers to make Dodger Stadium a polling place for the November general election — it will be the first time a Major League Baseball team has offered its facility as a voting center. The effort to convert sports facilities is being led by a group of bipartisan election experts. 

The second threat, the letter says, is the “systemic abuse of political power to make voting more difficult.” As an example, the group cites the Florida law that requires ex-felons released from prison to pay the entirety of fines owed before they can register to vote, calling it a “modern-day poll tax.” More Than A Vote has partnered with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to push back on the law and help people pay their fines. 

The group says that the third form of voter suppression is “deliberately lying to and misinforming Black voters.” To combat the issue, More Than A Vote will work with partners to use the groups’ voices and influence to share accurate information.

The group calls on readers to register to vote — and actually vote — and shut down notions about individual votes not mattering. But beyond voting, the letter asks young and healthy people to work polls on election day, volunteer time and money to voting rights organizations, and share information that will be beneficial to Black voters. 

“Voting is the most important thing you can do. It’s also not enough. Not ever, but especially not in 2020,” the letter says.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to drive against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

Welcome to Kinder, Gentler NBA Media Coverage

The media mantra for this season will be: Celebrate and educate.

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.
Kevin Durant

Durant’s $30M Discount Still Makes Him Highest NBA Career Earner

The deal will put Durant at $598 million in career earnings.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Oct 26, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a three-point shot in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Frost Bank Center.
October 27, 2025

NBA Betting Scandals Overshadow Wembanyama’s Superstar Leap

Wembanyama is following the path of Shohei Ohtani in MLB.
Aug 25, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Close up view of the ball and club of Scott Scheffler during the first round of the TOUR Championship golf tournament.
October 27, 2025

From Third Tier to $1M: Michael Brennan’s Surprise PGA Tour Win

The 23-year-old won his first professional start on the PGA Tour.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
Terry Rozier
October 24, 2025

Terry Rozier Will Be Paid Full NBA Salary While on Leave

The Heat are scheduled to pay Rozier $26.6 million for this season. 
Oct 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) holds the MVP trophy after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in game five of the NLCS during the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium.
October 24, 2025

World Series Will Be First to Showcase Ohtani’s Two-Way Skills

The two-way superstar is slated to pitch in the World Series.
Malik Beasley
October 23, 2025

After NBA Gambling Arrests, Where Does Malik Beasley Stand?

Beasley was in line to receive a three-year deal from the Pistons.
October 22, 2025

Michelle Wie West: LPGA Earnings vs Endorsements ‘Leveling Out’

Wie West is now retired and focused on investing.