SAN FRANCISCO – WNBA National Anthem Controversy
The WNBA rulebook clearly states that players, coaches, and trainers should stand in line along the sidelines or foul line during the national anthem. However, both teams participating in the Finals chose to leave the court before Saturday’s anthem. This absence hasn’t been explained, and the league hasn’t responded to queries regarding it.
Looking ahead to Game 2, which is happening Monday night, neither team has indicated whether they will be present for the anthem this time.
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During Saturday’s warm-ups at Chase Center, both teams exited the court just before the anthem started. Strangely, they returned within moments after the performance concluded.
Finding out the reasoning behind their decision to step off the floor for those two minutes has proven quite challenging. OutKick attempted to reach out to the WNBA, along with inquiries sent to the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries, but responses were not forthcoming before publication.
OutKick also attended all relevant press conferences but was not called upon to address the anthem matter directly.
WNBA Anthem Enforcement and Game 2 Plans Uncertain
Follow-up questions for both teams were straightforward. Why did their players leave the court during the Game 1 anthem? Would they return for Game 2? Did the WNBA issue any specific instructions about the anthem since Saturday?
The WNBA’s official 2026 rulebook includes provisions stating that players, coaches, and trainers must form a line on the sideline or foul line during the anthem.
To date, the league has not provided answers to OutKick’s inquiries about anthem enforcement or whether any repercussions are being considered. No information on whether both teams will participate during Game 2 has been confirmed either.
If the absences were simply part of a pregame routine, both teams have had ample opportunity to clarify, yet neither has responded to OutKick’s questions.
Concerns About Anthem Violation Procedures
A pregame routine that excludes players from being present during the national anthem definitely raises questions.
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Game 2 is set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Chase Center. It’s interesting to note that the teams returned to the floor almost immediately after the anthem, yet the reasons for their absence remain unexplained more than a day later.
