Adelson Leads Sports Owners' Midterm Spending
Majority Mavericks owner Miriam Adelson spent at least $67.63 million in the 2025-26 cycle, nearly all supporting Republicans.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Political Parties
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Sports team owners contributed more than $100 million to the 2026 midterm elections, according to Federal Election Commission filings reviewed by Front Office Sports. Miriam Adelson, majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, spent at least $67.63 million, nearly all of it backing Republican candidates and causes.
Why it matters
The figures show sports ownership groups becoming significant players in federal campaign finance, with Adelson's spending among the largest individual contributions of the cycle. Her giving also continues a pattern of large Republican-directed donations that dates back to the 2018 midterms.
Adelson spent at least $67.63 million, versus $11.11 million from Rob Walton, the second-highest total among sports owners. Individual recipient allocations beyond the named committees were not detailed in the filings reviewed.
The players
Miriam Adelson
Miriam Adelson is the majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a major Republican donor whose giving has followed her late husband Sheldon Adelson's long-running political spending.
Rob Walton
Rob Walton is the owner of the Denver Broncos and a Walmart family heir who ranked second among sports owners in midterm political spending.
Tony Ressler
Tony Ressler is the owner of the Atlanta Hawks who spent the most among NBA owners after Adelson in the 2026 cycle.
The details
Adelson donated $25 million to MAGA Inc., $30 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in the first quarter of 2026, and $10 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund, and wrote a six-figure check to the Republican National Committee. Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina were among the recipients.
Timeline
2018: Adelsons reportedly spent about $113 million supporting Republicans in the midterms.
2024: Adelson contributed about $100 million to Trump's campaign.
First quarter of 2026: Adelson gave $30 million to the Senate Leadership Fund.
November 3, 2026: The midterm elections took place.
Political Context
Adelson's 2026 giving follows the pattern set by the roughly $113 million the Adelsons reportedly spent supporting Republicans in the 2018 midterms. Her donations to the Senate Leadership Fund and Congressional Leadership Fund continue a model of large contributions to party-aligned leadership committees.
Large donations to party leadership committees shape which candidates receive resources in federal races, affecting the campaigns voters see in their districts. Readers can check individual contribution records directly through Federal Election Commission filings.
The takeaway
Campaign finance filings make large donor spending traceable, letting voters see which individuals and committees are funding the races on their ballots.
Further reading
Track the broader money behind the Political Parties coalitions shaping midterm spending.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EssentiallySports.
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