WNBA Finals teams skip anthem for third consecutive game

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 22 Oct, 03:09 · Archive

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court before the national anthem at all three WNBA Finals games despite a league rulebook requirement.

Both the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court before the national anthem at all three games of the WNBA Finals, with players jogging off moments before it started and returning after it finished. The WNBA's 2026 rulebook requires players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or foul line during the national anthem.

The WNBA, both teams and the NBA have not answered questions from OutKick about whether the teams received exemptions, whether discipline is planned or under consideration, or what instructions the league has communicated to the teams. NBA Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass was asked about the NBA's role in enforcing the provision and whether league leadership had discussed the absences with WNBA officials, but did not respond.

Vice President JD Vance commented on the absences during an interview, calling them 'disgraceful'. He said players should not express criticism of public policy by disrespecting the country. The New York Post characterises the teams' actions as a protest, though neither team has publicly explained their reasons for the anthem absences.

How it is being reported

• Valkyries, Dream continue to snub anthem at WNBA Finals as Vance calls protest ‘disgraceful’Players of the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream continue to protest the National Anthem during the WNBA Finals. As Game 3 of the Finals was set to begin on Wednesday night, players from both teams were seen walking back to the locker room just before the National Anthem was about to be sung....New York Post · 22 Oct, 02:50
• Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries skip national anthem for third straight WNBA Finals gameAtlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries skipped the national anthem for a third straight WNBA Finals game despite the league's own rulebook mandate.Fox News · 22 Oct, 02:16
• WNBA anthem controversy sparks calls to bar players who don't stand from Team USA's Olympic rosterRiley Gaines says Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries players who skip the WNBA Finals anthem should lose Olympic eligibility for Team USA.Fox News · 21 Oct, 22:00
• NBA stays silent on WNBA Finals teams skipping the national anthem before Games 1 and 2The NBA has not answered OutKick’s questions about the Dream and Valkyries’ WNBA Finals anthem absences despite a rulebook requirement to stand in line.Fox News · 21 Oct, 17:55

In this story: Atlanta Dream · Golden State Valkyries · WNBA · NBA · JD Vance · Mike Bass · Riley Gaines

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem