PRESIDENTIAL FANTASY LEAGUE ... TEAM OBAMA

Michael Jordan
This retired baller and still-active retailer might be worth every current NBA player on all three rosters—combined. MJ's caché in sports exceeds even Oprah's in the "Mom" category, it's that huge. There's just one small problem: Jordan hasn't actually given his endorsement, just a campaign contribution. It may not ever come. Once asked why he wasn't supporting a Democrat in a senate race, MJ said, "Republicans buy sneakers, too." But fans know Mike's an intensely personal guy. So if he ever says with words what he's said with his checkbook, it could put Obama in rare Air.

Jerome Bettis
When you hit the trail in Pennsylvania, its helpful to have the support of the locals (See: Hillary and Mario Lemieux). Enter Bettis. The Bus not only owns a restaurant in Pittsburgh, but is a part owner of two minor league baseball teams and has his own show—The Jerome Bettis Show—on local affiliate WPXI-TV (not to mention spots on the NFL Network and Football Night in America. Plus, he's not just endorsing, but literally flag waving (see above). How could he sweeten the deal any more? By inviting Franco Harris to join in.

Charles Barkley
A controversy-filled NBA career hasn't kept Sir Charles from a wildly successful second act. If anything, Barkley's tell-it-like-it-is attitude has made him more popular. A former conservative, he recently criticized what he called "fake Christians" for their quickness to judge. He may be a lightning rod, but people can't get enough of him. He once said, "I don't create controversies. They're there before I open my mouth. I just bring them to your attention." He could be a huge factor in Team Obama's media visibility—so long as he doesn't say anything too out there—or change his mind.

SLEEPERS

Derrek Lee
Anyone serious about being POTUS needs support from the ranks of America's Pastime. In the Cubs' Lee, Obama has the perfect endorser. Lee's a clubhouse leader and a man who makes favorable and quasi-intellectual allusions when pressed. Kinda like Yogi Berra, but making more sense. "I think experience is overrated." Lee said of the race. "It's kind of like baseball—sometimes you just don't need experience." Take that Hil.

Greg Oden
The man-child is in a unique position. He's got all the publicity and media traction of an NBA star, but with the injury, he's got none of the time restrictions, so he's free to campaign and wax poetic on his blog. The Obama campaign has said Greg would help reach young voters in Ohio, where Oden was a Buckeye, and Hillary won the primary. (Don't count out Oden's influence with the older set, either.) But first he'll help Obama amass some last second delegates in the Oregon primary, May 6th.

Colt McCoy
Texas QB Colt McCoy may not have made his support vocal, but he gave Obama something public when he gave the candidate a personal tour of the UT campus. McCoy's got it all: he's a devout Christian, does volunteer work and once swam across a lake (not pond, a lake!) to save a guy having a seizure. All-American? Hell, yes. Tossing the pigskin with McCoy in Bush-country was the perfect photo-op for Obama.

DRAGS

Stephon Marbury
Marbury is a public relations nightmare. Between unsavory comments about Michael Vick and his hijinks with Knicks interns, the New York native is the anti-endorsement of the moment. When Stephon went public with his "I got ya' back, Barack," Obama had to quiver.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Obama needs Floyd in politics like Floyd needs a trash-talking coach. Both are at the top of their game, but the boxer should stick to his. Notably, Mayweather skipped an event he was supposed to co-host for Nevada's African-Americans for Obama. Ouch. Floyd's promoter says he's merely an admirer, not a full-on endorser. Maybe it's better that way.

Don King
King's rap sheet is undeniable: two homicides (both dropped), bookmaking, tax evasion, jury tampering. Not someone you want speaking about your character. He has got to be Obama's biggest liability. The man's a loose cannon. Whether taken seriously or not, he could still potentially broker something huge like, say, a Greco Roman wrestling match between Obama and McCain. Call it a push.

ON THE BENCH

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem's got cred eight ways to Sunday. He is a best-selling author, an actor and has an awesome blog. And that whole All-Time NBA Scoring King tag doesn't hurt, either. Best of all, he's on the record. "Mrs. Clinton is not a bad choice. I just think Obama is the best choice." Having given the commencement address at UCLA last year, he may have some sway with the youth vote. Look for a late season replacement

PREVIOUS PRESIDENTIAL FANTASY LEAGUE POSTS:
Team Hillary
Introduction to the PFL

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