In a surprise announcement at the Dallas Wings’ home opener, former President George W.
Bush was named the WNBA’s first-ever Honorary Commissioner. The 43rd president, wearing a custom “Dubya for Three” jersey, joked to reporters,
After the White House, I figured I’d finally take a job where the plays are actually bipartisan.”
The league cited Bush’s longtime support for women’s sports and his viral 2023 appearance at a Wings game—where he enthusiastically demonstrated his free-throw form—as inspiration for the role.
The move sparked immediate reactions across the political and sports worlds. Former First Lady Michelle Obama tweeted,
“Who’s got next? (Seriously, this is awesome.),” while WNBA star Brittney Griner welcomed Bush with a cheeky “
Hope you like dunking on Twitter trolls, sir.” Even critics acknowledged the savvy PR move, with one ESPN analyst noting, “
He’ll bring more attention to the league in one week than most politicians do in a lifetime.”
Bush’s duties will include ceremonial tip-offs, advocating for expanded media coverage, and—in a nod to his painting hobby—designing a special
“Freedom Ball” for the 2024 All-Star Game.
“I promise no hanging chads on the scoreboard,” he quipped during the press conference
, before joining Wings players for an impromptu three-point contest (sources confirm he went 1-for-10).
The WNBA hopes Bush’s appointment will amplify its push for gender equity in sports.
As the former president left the court, he left fans with a signature Bushism: “Fool me once… shame on you
. Fool me twice… well, let’s just say these ladies don’t get fooled at all.”
The league’s season tips off next week—with a presidential seal of approval no one saw coming.
The account imagines a crossover between two very different kinds of public life. Presidential experience carries a particular public image, while a basketball league is built around athletes, supporters, competition, and the atmosphere of the court. Bringing those worlds together gives the story its central comic contrast, with ceremonial duties presented alongside jokes about political history.
The proposed role is described as honorary, emphasizing visibility and public attention. That framing matters because ceremonial participation is different from the day-to-day work of running a league or developing a team. The players remain at the center of the sport, and the imagined appointment is presented as a way of bringing a wider audience to their achievements.
The references to a custom jersey, a specially designed ball, and an impromptu shooting contest strengthen the playful tone. They give a familiar political figure a setting in which the expectations are different, allowing the narrative to use sporting language and presidential references together. The result is a colorful story about publicity, personality, and the appeal of an unexpected public appearance.
Underlying the humor is the account’s stated interest in attention for women’s sports. Whatever the setting of a celebrity appearance, lasting support for a league depends on interest in its games, respect for its athletes, and recognition of the work that brings a season together. That broader theme gives the imagined scene a purpose beyond its opening surprise.
