Professional Sports Teams That Visited the White House: A Fun Tradition!
One of the coolest White House traditions is when championship sports teams visit to celebrate their wins! Presidents invite the champs (usually from MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, and college teams) for photos, handshakes, and sometimes a few jokes on the South Lawn or in the East Room. It started with small groups in the 1800s but became a big event in the 1980s. Here’s a list of some of the most famous (and fun) pro sports teams that have visited, with a kid-friendly highlight for each!
- Chicago Bulls (NBA) – Multiple visits under Clinton, Bush, and Obama
Michael Jordan and the Bulls visited several times in the 1990s—MJ even showed the president how to dunk (sort of)! - New England Patriots (NFL) – Multiple visits (Bush, Obama, Trump)
Tom Brady and the Pats became White House regulars—Brady once gave Obama a jersey with #12 and “Obama” on the back! - Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) – Visits under Reagan, Clinton, Bush, Obama
Kobe Bryant and Shaq visited in 2001—Shaq famously tried to lift President Bush on his shoulders (almost!). - Boston Red Sox (MLB) – Multiple visits (Reagan, Bush, Obama)
In 2013, after winning the World Series, they brought the trophy—and Dustin Pedroia taught Obama how to throw a curveball! - Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) – Visits under Carter, Reagan, Bush
“Steel Curtain” defenses and Super Bowl trophies—Terry Bradshaw once joked with Reagan about arm-wrestling! - San Francisco 49ers (NFL) – Reagan, Clinton, Obama eras
Joe Montana visited in 1989—Reagan called him “the greatest quarterback ever” (and he wasn’t wrong!). - Detroit Pistons (NBA) – “Bad Boys” era with Reagan and Bush
The tough, championship Pistons of the late 1980s brought their “Bad Boys” attitude to the White House! - New York Yankees (MLB) – Frequent visitors (Reagan, Clinton, Bush, Obama)
Derek Jeter and the Yankees visited multiple times—Jeter even gave Obama a custom #44 jersey! - Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) – Trump, Biden eras
After their 2020 World Series win (played in a bubble), they visited in 2021—brought the trophy and lots of Dodger blue! - Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) – Trump, Biden eras
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs visited after Super Bowl wins—Mahomes once tossed a football to the president on the lawn!
- U.S. Women’s Soccer Team (multiple visits) – Obama, Trump, Biden – they brought World Cup trophies and taught presidents how to juggle a soccer ball!
- Golden State Warriors – Obama era – Steph Curry’s long-range shooting demos were legendary.
- Chicago Cubs – 2016 visit under Obama – ended a 108-year World Series drought—biggest party ever!
