WNBA Finals and the National Anthem: The Rules and Why some Teams Stay on the Court and Others Don't
The league rulebook says players should stand in a dignified posture, but no explanation has been given for the teams’ repeated absence.
- On Saturday, October 17, the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court at Chase Center before the 'Star-Spangled Banner' was performed during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, returning immediately after it concluded.
- Although the WNBA rulebook mandates that players stand in a 'dignified posture' during the anthem, the league suspended its official enforcement protocols years ago, leaving teams without clear guidance on pregame conduct.
- Pro-Women's sports campaigner Jennifer Sey alleged that she and others wearing 'XX-XY' apparel faced harassment from fans and were escorted by security during the game, intensifying questions about stadium conduct.
- Following the anthem omission, neither the Dream nor the Valkyries commented during post-game press conferences, and the league has not announced whether it will enforce anthem requirements for remaining games.
- The series shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Wednesday, with activist Enes Kanter Freedom announcing plans to attend, sustaining focus on the transgender athlete debate in women's sports.
57 Articles
57 Articles
MAGA flips out after WNBA players leave floor before anthem: 'This is disgusting'
Incited by Fox News reporting and clips posted to X, far-right MAGA fans are engaged in a meltdown over the WNBA finals because both teams left the floor before the National Anthem was played.Late Monday, Fox News reported on the absence of players from both the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on the floor, with one host suggesting the “inmates are running the asylum.”That led Fox contributor Joe Concha to sneer that it was “insubor…
Players ‘trying to destroy’ WNBA with national anthem walkout: Joe Concha
Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha criticized WNBA officials for failing to enforce the league’s national anthem policy after players walked off the court during two WNBA Finals games. “This disrespect to our national anthem, and the insubordination, it’s going to continue to go unabated because league officials, they are petrified of their own players,” Concha […]
WNBA Finals and the national anthem: The rules and why some teams stay
Fans who don’t usually watch the WNBA might be asking why the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream were not on the court during the playing of the national anthem ahead of Game 1 or 2 of
Disgraceful: WNBA finalists defy rulebook, walk off—and return when the national anthem ends - The Daily Bo Snerdley
THE DAILY BS: HOW MUCH CAN YOU HANDLE? SPARE ME THE BS (I’ve got things to do). The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries stayed off the court for Monday’s Game 2 anthem, repeating their absence from Saturday’s Finals opener. Alanis Morissette performed at Chase Center; the players returned shortly after the song ended. The WNBA’s official rulebook calls for players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up during the anthem. The league had …
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