WNBA Teams Skip National Anthem Despite League Rulebook Requirement

Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries Skip WNBA Finals Anthem

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries remained off the court during the national anthem before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night, repeating their actions from Game 1, according to a report by OutKick. Both teams left the floor less than a minute before the performance began and stepped back onto the hardwood mere seconds after the final note, leaving the league’s pregame protocol unfulfilled for the second contest.

WNBA Rulebook Anthem Provision Goes Unenforced

The WNBA’s official rulebook explicitly states that players, coaches, and trainers are required to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the national anthem. Despite this written mandate, neither participating team has appeared on the floor for the presentation during the Finals. OutKick reported that the league office did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding whether any discipline is under consideration, or whether officials instructed either franchise to take the floor for Game 2.

OutKick Questions Met With Silence From Teams and League

Reporters from OutKick approached both franchises and the league office following Game 1 to ask why the players were absent from the court and whether they planned to be present for Monday’s matchup. Those inquiries went unanswered prior to the publication of a follow-up report on Monday morning. Reporters attending pregame and postgame press conferences were not called upon to raise the anthem question during media availability sessions with coaches or players, leaving the motivations behind the absence unaddressed by official team spokespersons.