Former NBA star Rick Fox officially announced that he will run in the upcoming Bahamas general election in 2026, putting an end to weeks of speculation.
Fox, who was appointed Ambassador-at-Large for Sports in 2022, made the announcement on social media last night, citing his passion for the country and a desire to turn the Bahamas we all envision into a reality.
In a post titled “Bahamas: It’s Better To Be Number One,” Fox outlined his priorities for the nation, emphasizing transparency, opportunity, and innovation. “For months, I’ve been listening closely to the hopes and frustrations of my fellow Bahamians. One truth is clear: the future of The Bahamas will depend on the choices we make right now,” he wrote.
Fox stressed the urgency of the moment: “We are running out of the one resource we can never get back: TIME. The time we need to empower our youth with real opportunities. The time we need to deliver world-class healthcare, affordable housing, and safe communities. The time we need to compete on the global stage.”
The former basketball star framed the campaign as a call to action that goes beyond party politics. “This is bigger than party politics. This is The Bahamas versus the world. Imagine a nation where every Bahamian feels secure, safe, empowered, and proud. Where opportunity flows, innovation thrives, and our people shape the world from home,” he said.
Fox, whose full name is Ulrich Alexander Fox, was born on July 24, 1969, in Toronto, Canada, to Bahamian father Ulrich Fox and Canadian mother Dianne Gerace, a former Olympic high jumper and pentathlete. He moved to the Bahamas at a young age and attended Kingsway Academy in Nassau before launching a successful basketball career in the United States.
While he has not confirmed whether he will run independently or with a political party, Fox told a Guardian radio host that he has met with representatives from both major parties to discuss his potential candidacy.
Reflecting on the country’s current challenges, Fox referenced recent hurricanes and the need for national resilience. “Hurricane Future isn’t coming — Hurricane Future is here,” he said. “We must move with clarity. We must move with courage. We must move with honor and integrity.”
With a platform built on integrity, innovation, and national pride, Fox is positioning himself as a fresh voice in Bahamian politics. “The Bahamas will lead. The Bahamas will rise. The Bahamas will be #1. It’s better to be number one in The Bahamas,” he concluded, signaling a bold and ambitious vision for the country’s future.
