The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries were absent from the court for the national anthem before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night, repeating their absence from the previous night's game.
According to reports, the teams left the floor less than a minute before the start of the anthem and returned mere seconds after the singer finished singing. This is the second consecutive game in which the teams have failed to comply with the WNBA's rulebook, which requires players, coaches, and trainers to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the national anthem.
The WNBA's 2026 official rulebook includes a provision on the national anthem, which states that players, coaches, and trainers are expected to stand and line up during the performance. Despite this requirement, the teams have thus far ignored it, and the league has thus far remained silent on the matter.
The absence of the teams during the anthem was noted by observers, and it is unclear whether the league plans to take any disciplinary action. The WNBA has not commented on the issue, despite multiple requests for information.
The teams' decision to leave the court during the anthem has sparked controversy, with some questioning the significance of the rule and others criticizing the teams for not respecting the tradition. The issue is likely to continue to be a topic of discussion in the coming days.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
View original reporting →
