Tonight the San Francisco Giants will take the field against the Los Angeles Dodgers in what could be a bitter battle for first place in the National League West. Off the diamond, however, some in the teams' front offices are on the same side - at least when it comes to politics.
Giants Chairman Emeritus Bill Neukom and four members of the Dodgers' ownership group have made significant donations to the Democratic cause this election cycle, according to information from OpenSecrets.org. A project of the The Center for Responsive Politics, the site allows users to find out more details about political donors. Our colleagues at WNYC have combed through that data in an effort to find out which parties and candidates are supported by sports team owners.
Their work shows that Neukom has donated a total of $27,900 to the Democratic candidates and organizations this election cycle, including $12,900 to the Democratic National Committee and $10,000 t0 the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Meanwhile, Magic Johnson, Todd Boehly, Robert Patton and Mark Walter - all members of the Dodgers' ownership group - have given a total of $178,200 to the Democrats.
A closer look at the OpenSecrets data also finds owners of Bay Area sports teams on the other side of the political aisle. Peter Magowan, a member of the Giants' ownership group and the team's former managing general partner, has donated $61,600 to the Republican National Committee. Magowan also has given $5,000 to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina.
Oakland A's owner Lew Wolff, meanwhile, has given $2,500 to GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Wolff also is the co-owner of the San Jose Earthquakes soccer team.