Socio-political activism has been a part of sports most notably in the 1960s and beyond. Athletes have used their visibility and popularity to advocate for anti-war movements, environmentalism, gay rights, human rights, gender equality, and on down the line. Sports fans have mixed opinions on this with some feeling that politics should stay off the field and others feeling like if not now, then when for these athletes.
For those in the anti-politics camp, the argument is that people come to sporting events to forget their troubles and just cheer for their team or athlete and it should be just about that. They don't want to come to a game and have to hear about politics or someone's personal views on something they may or may not agree with. They feel athletes should do that strictly on their own time and away from sports or quite literally, keep it to themselves. From a team owners point of view whether they say it publicly or not, some intimate that the athlete is at work at their job which they are paying them to do, so political views have no business in the workplace as they often can be at odds or cause issues with 'other employees' making for a more hostile work environment.
For those on the opposite end, they see it as an opportunity to spread a message far and wide with all eyes typically on athletes. A shirt, or a message, or a pin representing such a cause can drum up so much attention for that cause and start a dialogue on it that may not have existed in earnest otherwise. This can often lead to a lot of support or charity events that raise money for such causes that can and do help people. These athletes can also call out injustices in their own sports that often have brought about change that would have otherwise gone unchecked.
Personally, as much as people bark about athletes and politics, I think it always comes down to the brass tax. People might be a little pissed that their star athlete is constantly bringing up X cause, but you take it on the chin and you shut up about it as long as they are winning "you" championships, medals, money, points, podiums, contracts, etc. It is extremely rare that a politically minded athlete gets ousted from a team or deal if they are proven consistent winners and money makers. Quite literally athletes have committed crimes and a team has held on to them because they are the best of the best in their sport, so a little talk about saving the world, they ought to be able to live with. Bottom line, that's all people really care about is if you can win and for all the rest, they can choose to ignore or listen to an athlete make speeches or not.
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