WNBA Finals Anthem Absence: Understanding Team Protocols and League Rules
Explore why WNBA Finals teams like the Valkyries and Dream remain off-court during the national anthem. Policy Wire examines league rules and team traditions.
POLICY WIRE — San Francisco, USA — Viewers tuning into the WNBA championship series have noted that both the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream are absent from the court during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner. This recurring pregame behavior has sparked significant discussion across social media platforms regarding team conduct during the national anthem.
The practice of exiting the court roughly 10 minutes before tipoff is not a new development. Many WNBA franchises have adopted this routine over the past six seasons, utilizing the time to finalize game preparations or to highlight social justice initiatives. The Valkyries confirmed they have maintained this internal locker room routine since the team’s inception last year, while the Atlanta Dream have followed a similar pattern for several years.
Confusion persists regarding the league’s official stance, as the WNBA rulebook still contains language requiring players and coaches to stand in a dignified posture along the sidelines during the anthem. However, these specific protocols were effectively suspended in late 2017 following a memo sent to teams, which granted players the freedom to express their views in the wake of the Charlottesville, Virginia, rally. The league has not provided updated guidance, leaving teams to determine their own pregame procedures.
In contrast to the WNBA, the U.S. national team consistently remains on the court for anthems during international competitions like the Olympics and the World Cup. This difference is largely due to the distinct scheduling of international events, where anthems are performed immediately following player introductions. The WNBA did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding its current policy.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
