Most owners of New York’s pro sports teams are putting their greenbacks behind John McCain‘s presidential candidacy – even as most of their athletes play ball with Barack Obama, campaign records show.
Jet owner Woody Johnson has helped raise millions of dollars for the Arizona senator and will chair next month’s Republican national convention in St. Paul, Minn.
“Woody Johnson has . . . contributed his time, effort and leadership to getting John McCain elected in November,” campaign manager Rick Davis said.
And while Giant Chairman Steve Tisch has given Obama $2,300, Yankee boss George Steinbrenner has belted $19,600 toward McCain, according to the Federal Elections Commission.
Ex-Met pitcher and current Yankee broadcaster Al Leiter has thrown $1,000 to McCain, but Obama has caught $2,300 from both Knick guard Stephon Marbury and ex-Knick Allan Houston.
Laker coach Phil Jackson, another ex-Knick, has stuffed $2,300 into Obama’s campaign kitty, but Ranger and Knick owner Charles Dolan has doubled that in McCain’s direction.
Met owner Fred Wilpon declined to say whom he was backing, but he did contribute to Rudy Giuliani’s primary coffer.