Deep thoughts, cheap shots & bon mots ...

Another reason we don’t need traditional owners: They sometimes give your money to causes you don’t like. Charles Johnson, for example, is the sports world’s most generous political donor. He gives millions to conservative or rightwing causes. Hey, it’s his money. But his team represents a city that just voted 85% for Joe Biden. What if, say, you believe strongly in LGBTQ rights, and Johnson’s donations support candidates or a party that favors eliminating or curtailing those rights? Now how do you feel about that $ 15 ballpark beer?

LeBron James is no sweetheart in the Bay Area, and he might wind up blocking the Warriors’ march back to relevance next season. But if you’re a democracy fan, tip your cap. James helped start More Than A Vote, a nonprofit fighting voter suppression. His group recruited 10,000 volunteer poll workers.

More mixing of sports and democracy: Georgia was a key state in the election. The Atlanta

Hawks’ home gym, State Farm Arena, serviced 40,000 voters.

Silver Lining Department: No parades or wild celebrations in 2020 for any of our local sports heroes. That might have been a break. In Los Angeles, celebrations over the Lakers’ championship contributed to coronavirus spread. And had the 49ers won the Super Bowl and held a parade down Market Street in February, just when the virus was quietly hitting town, it might have been a Superduperspreader.

Dodgers’ players and employees allowed or encouraged viruspositive Justin Turner to join the onfield World Series celebration, in defiance of MLB security. Fines, penalties, suspensions? Zero. I’m starting to wonder what you have to do to get Rob Manfred ticked off.

Hey, the Earthquakes made the MLS playoffs and Chris Wondolowski netted his 166th goal Wednesday, adding to his league career record. Good to see the old man ( 37) get his kicks on Route 166.

Scott Ostler is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: sostler@ sfchronicle. com Twitter: @ scottostler