Overview
- Both the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries left the court during the national anthem in Game 1 on Oct. 17 and repeated the move in Game 2 on Oct. 19, returning immediately after the song ended.
- The WNBA rulebook instructs players to stand 'in a dignified posture' during the anthem, but the league issued a memo that suspended anthem protocols in 2017 and teams have followed varied pregame routines since then.
- Video and eyewitness accounts show the teams were off the floor only for the anthem’s duration, and both franchises say the departures are part of established pregame routines rather than a new protest action.
- The departures drew strong public backlash from some commentators and fans who urged penalties while other outlets and former players defended player autonomy and pointed to the league’s protest history.
- The WNBA has not publicly said whether it will enforce anthem provisions or discipline teams, making league action or guidance ahead of Games 3 and 4 in Atlanta the next key development to watch.