WNBA teams' national anthem absence draws social media attention

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream were not on court during the national anthem at the WNBA Finals.

The Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream were not on the court during the national anthem ahead of Games 1 and 2 of the WNBA Finals, which generated discussion on social media amongst fans unfamiliar with the league's practices.

It has been common practice for many WNBA teams over at least the past six seasons to leave the court ten minutes before the end of pregame warmups, just before 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is played. The Valkyries say they have maintained this same pregame routine of going to the locker room for the anthem since becoming a WNBA franchise last year. Atlanta has left the court before the anthem for several years. Teams cite raising awareness for social justice issues or continuing to prepare for the game as reasons for the practice.

Some teams, including Indiana and Minnesota, remained on the court for the anthem during the regular season. The WNBA rulebook states that 'players, coaches, and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem', but the protocols were suspended years ago. It remains unclear whether this rule applies only to players on the court or to entire teams.

How it is being reported

• WNBA Finals and the national anthem: The rules and why some teams stay on the court and others don'tFans who don’t usually watch the WNBA might be asking why the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream weren't on the court during the playing of the national anthem ahead of Game 1 or 2 of the league’s championship series.News4Jax · 20 Oct, 09:43
• WNBA Finals and the national anthem: The rules and why some teams stay on the court and others don'tFans who don’t usually watch the WNBA might be asking why the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream weren't on the court during the playing of the national anthem ahead of Game 1 or 2 of the league’s championship series.Clickorlando · 20 Oct, 09:43

In this story: Golden State Valkyries · Atlanta Dream · WNBA · Indiana · Minnesota

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