WNBA Finals Spark Questions About National Anthem Protocols
Some teams leave the court before the anthem, a practice with roots in social justice advocacy and evolving league policies.
Fans observing the recent WNBA Finals may have noticed some teams, such as the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream, were not present on the court during the playing of the national anthem. This practice, which has become common for many WNBA teams over the past six seasons, is often done to raise awareness for social justice issues or as part of a team's routine to continue pregame preparations.
The Valkyries stated that their absence from the court during the anthem is their standard pregame routine since becoming a WNBA franchise last year, while the Dream have maintained this practice for several years.
This situation has led to some confusion regarding current WNBA policy. While the league's rulebook specifies 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," these protocols were suspended years ago.
According to reports, the league suspended its formal protocols in a memo to teams in late 2017. This decision was initially made to allow players to express support for victims of racially charged violence. In 2020, many teams continued this practice, leaving the court before the anthem as the WNBA dedicated that season to Breonna Taylor. Many teams have continued to leave the court before the anthem is played since 2020.
Some teams, including Indiana and Minnesota, have remained on the court for the anthem during the regular season. The WNBA's suspension of protocols appears to have created ambiguity, with the league seemingly deferring decisions to individual teams, some of which may be seeking clearer guidance.
The WNBA did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding its anthem policy. In contrast, the U.S. national basketball team consistently stays on the court for the anthem during international events like the World Cup and Olympics. This timing differs from WNBA games, as anthems of competing nations are played after lineup introductions and before tip-off in international competitions.