WNBA Teams Leave Court During National Anthem for Second Consecutive Finals Game
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries again opted out of the pre-game tradition, drawing criticism.
Players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court for the locker room as the National Anthem began before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night. This marks the second consecutive game in the series that both teams have not been present for the anthem. Singer Alanis Morissette performed the anthem.
Reporter Dan Zaksheske of Outkick/Fox News noted that the teams returned to the court shortly after the anthem concluded. A reporter from Outkick shared a video clip on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption, "Same league. Same disrespect. The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries skip the anthem AGAIN before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, then stroll back out when it’s over."
The specific reasons for the teams' continued absence during the anthem remain undisclosed. However, the Atlanta Dream organization released a statement in 2020 asserting that "the anthem does not represent freedom, justice and liberty for all Americans."
The WNBA's official rulebook states that players are required to stand and line up on the court during the national anthem.
Both teams have faced significant public scrutiny for their decision to forgo the tradition. Social media reactions included comments questioning viewership and criticizing the players' actions. One user on X stated, "The @WNBA and the players and staff on @GSValkyriesHub and @AtlantaDream. Hate the US Military – only logical reason why they can’t stand respectfully giving thanks for the best country in the world thanks to their dedication and sacrifice for all of us."
The Golden State Valkyries are currently competing for their first WNBA title in their second year as a franchise. They secured a 68-64 victory in Game 1 of the series, with star player Gabby Williams contributing 26 points.