November 12, 1999
Web posted at: 5:52 p.m. EST (2252 GMT)

WASHINGTON -- Bill Bradley is set to return to the basketball court this weekend -- not to don his old New York Knicks uniform, but to attend a mega-fundraiser for his presidential bid.

The setting will be Madison Square Garden -- site of the former New Jersey Democratic senator's glory days with the Knicks -- where the Bradley camp says it expects to collect at least $1 million on Sunday.

Bradley played for the Knicks for tens years, beginning in 1967. When he retired from the Knicks in 1977, he turned his attention to politics.

Now, more than two decades later, dozens of former National Basketball Association stars who played with and against Bradley, and dozens of other figures from the athletic world, are supporting his bid for president.

First, Bradley stands to rake in some cash for his campaign efforts, and he has assembled about $70,000 so far. But then there is something far more important, the public appeal of the endorsements of high-profile athletes, such as recently retired Chicago Bulls star -- and $1,000 Bradley contributor -- Michael Jordan.

"These players are rainmakers," according to Dwight Morris, head of the Campaign Study Group, an independent research firm that analyses campaign finance records for CNN. "They show up. They shake hands, and they attract people who want to be near the famous."

Morris notes that Republican presidential front runner George W. Bush has raised twice the cash Bradley has from the sports world, about $130,000, but Bush has his own connections in the realm of professional athletics.

From 1989 to 1994, the Texas governor was the managing general partner of the Texas Rangers baseball team.

But while there are athletes and former players on the list of Bush contributors -- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman for one -- campaign finance records show his target group is more likely to include names such as George Steinbrenner, owner of baseball's New York Yankees.

"On the Bradley side, you have labor, the former players," Morris says. "On the Bush side you have management, many many owners. They are lining up behind Bush in large numbers."

So who comes out ahead in the sports connection?

"The marquee value unquestionably goes to Bradley," Morris concludes.

That's why the take in Bradley's Sunday fundraiser, called "Back in the Garden," could well top $1 million.

Friday, November 12, 1999

• Athletes, sports franchise owners line up behind 2000 presidential candidates
• Des Moines Register Bush's ads English-only so far in Iowa
• Congressional, administration budget negotiators continue to seek resolution
• Clinton signs banking overhaul measure
• Forbes breaks out big stick, reveals 'new' China policy in key speech
• Broadcasters, Internet groups in showdown over television licenses
• Poll: Democratic advantage may be a bigger help in congressional races
• 'Nightline' pulls out of debate
• Congressional impasse delays aviation construction money
• Gore turned down offer to avoid Vietnam draft
• Hillary Clinton calls Mrs Arafat comments baseless
• Authorities: Taxpayers losing millions in prescription scam

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