Kamala Harris Campaign Targets Sports Bettors and Gamers

With Election Day looming, Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has launched a targeted strategy to win over male voters, particularly those immersed in sports betting, fantasy sports, and video games. While former President Donald Trump generally enjoys a lead with this demographic, it is quickly becoming the new focal point of the Harris campaign with a flurry of ad placements across platforms frequented by sports fans.

There Is a Clear Gender Divide Among Voters

In a bold move, Harris’ campaign became the first to advertise on DraftKings, a leader in the fantasy sports and sports betting space. Alongside DraftKings, the campaign also placed ads on Yahoo Sports and video game sites like IGN and Fandom. These ads indicate a growing effort by Harris to close the gender gap that has defined the presidential race.

The Harris campaign’s focus on male voters comes in response to polling data that shows Trump holding a significant lead among men. A recent NBC News poll showed Trump leads among male voters by 16 points (56%-40%), while Harris leads among women by 14 points (55%-41%). 

These numbers mirror Trump’s performance in the 2020 election, where he won a larger percentage of male voters. His new campaign also has gone aggressively after male-heavy audiences, running ads during football games. The Harris campaign, meanwhile, is looking to connect with men on platforms like TikTok and Twitch, partnering with meme-focused accounts such as dudewithsign and thegoodliars.

Harris Won the Support of Several Influential Figures

Harris’ new ads feature some unexpected cameos. One of the promos features NBA legend Magic Johnson framing Harris’s economic policies as a winning strategy for the country. Johnson contrasts Harris’ plan with Trump’s record, painting the former president as a “failed businessman” whose policies would lead to higher costs for everyday Americans.

Let’s break down Kamala’s economic plan. She has a plan to cut taxes for over 100 million Americans.

Magic Johnson

In another humorous yet serious ad, actor Ben Stiller compares the election to a game of dodgeball. He then assumes a more urgent tone in identifying the risks from Trump’s proposed policies, especially “Project 2025,” which, he says, would give Trump “nearly unlimited power.” The ad encourages viewers to support Harris in protecting democracy.

Kamala Harris is the average Joe underdog, but this isn’t a time for jokes.

Ben Stiller

This aggressive outreach to male voters underscores the demographic’s crucial role in determining the outcome of this race. With Trump facing challenges convincing more female voters to join his cause, he aims to solidify his lead among men. Meanwhile, Harris seeks to chip away at that advantage by engaging men on platforms they trust and enjoy, including sports betting and gaming sites.