In America, major league professional sports is a big deal. Sports rivalries are honored like family ties. New York and Boston baseball and basketball fans get into brawls. In St. Louis, Cardinal fans will introduce their friend who is a Cubs fan in just that way, as if it is a warning. Die-hard fans will support their teams through thick and thin. Professional sports is also very big business. Millions of dollars are exchanged between teams and sponsors and the causes those leagues choose to support. One of those causes may be on the chopping block for their support of something else. Conservative radio host Clay Travis tweeted about the dilemma professional sports may be facing. 

(WARNING: The video included in the tweet contains some graphic images.)

A Jewish group is demanding that @mlb @nba @nfl & @nhl end their support for BLM after many BLM groups supported the Hamas terror attack and supported the eradication of Israel. Watch this: pic.twitter.com/5AOZ7kbcfG

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 26, 2023

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), a large rabbinic public policy organization, has called for professional sports leagues in the U.S., including the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and Major League Baseball (MLB), to end their support for Black Lives Matter (BLM) after several of their affiliated organizations declared support for the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. 

In a press release, CJV described BLM as “a movement that advocates the murder of Jews." CJV Vice President Dov Fischer stated, 

“The collective that has arrogated the term ‘Black Lives Matter’ is one of the leading antisemitic organizations making Jews unsafe. Instead of advancing civil rights, they join with terrorists seeking global jihad against Jews. It is unconscionable that American businesses, especially sports teams in leagues that rely upon fans of all ethnicities and backgrounds, would provide financial support to cheerleaders for terror.”

After the attack that killed roughly 1,400 Israelis, BLM Chicago tweeted out an image of a paraglider, similar to what took place in Israel during the attack, that read, “We stand with Palestine & the people who will do what they must to live free.” The tweet was later deleted, and the BLM Global Network Foundation, reportedly the primary BLM organization, did not condemn the tweet, but merely claimed they have no connection to the Chicago BLM group.

BLM has a history of, at the very least, making antisemitic comments. A CJV video from 2015 shows BLM co-founder Patrice Cullors stating, "If we don't step up, boldly and courageously, to end the imperialist project called Israel, we're doomed." The video goes on to claim that American professional sports leagues still supported BLM, by both players and coaches kneeling while the National Anthem was played before games, and funneled millions of dollars to them in the form of T-shirts, some of which were worn by NBA players. Some of the cities whose teams openly supported BLM have large Jewish communities, like New York, Dallas, Chicago, and Miami. 

Will the @RedSox and other sports teams continue to have BLM, a terrorist supporting organization, promoted in their stadiums going forward? https://t.co/PEYoKFf1MV pic.twitter.com/On30KtZAzH

— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) October 11, 2023

Because major league sports is big business, the million-dollar question might be: Will they discontinue their support for BLM in light of the heinous attacks on Israel that, at least initially, one BLM chapter apparently supported? We have all seen what happens to those who do not "properly" support woke organizations like BLM. But on the other hand, we have also seen what happens when big corporations — and major league sports are big corporations — cave to the woke mob. (See Bud Light.) Major league sports want to please all of their fans, but if they insist on dabbling in politics, not everyone is going to be pleased. That means a loss of revenue regardless of what side it happens on.

Will the Israel-Hamas war help major league sports decide which fans they want to make happy? A recent Quinnipiac University poll asked voters, based on their knowledge of the Middle East, where their sympathies lie — with Israel or the Palestinians. Roughly 61 percent of those voters said Israel. Many major league sports fans were turned off by teams' support of BLM; kneeling put the NFL's ratings in the tank; many MLB teams got negative feedback from having "Pride Nights." 

Note to major league sports officials: This might help in your decision-making. The Texas Rangers held a moment of silence for the victims in Israel before Game 3 of the American League Divisional Playoff series. They are now headed to the World Series. 

Teammates and coaches supporting their Jewish players❤️

US sports teams, athletes demonstrate unprecedented support for Israel - Israel Sports - The Jerusalem Post https://t.co/rq5gL22ZQJ

— Janine Groman (@GromanJdgro) October 11, 2023