The WNBA has made its final call on the national anthem controversy that has simmered throughout the 2026 Finals. According to multiple reports, the league has suspended its official anthem policy, a decision that effectively gives teams the green light to skip the pregame ritual without penalty.
The policy in question, outlined in Section H of the league's rulebook, states that "players, coaches, and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem." But that mandate, it turns out, has been off the books for years.
Reports indicate the suspension dates back to late in the 2017 season, when the league sent a memo to teams saying that players and coaches were no longer required to follow the anthem protocol. The move was intended to allow players to show support for victims of the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that summer. Since then, the policy has remained in limbo, and the league has not enforced it.
The issue flared up again during Game 1 and Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, as both the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries were noticeably absent from the court while the "Star Spangled Banner" played. Fox News reported that both teams left the floor prior to the anthem, and OutKick reached out to the league and both franchises for comment, but received no immediate response. Coaches were also not asked about the situation in postgame press conferences, as reporters were not granted the opportunity to ask.
This silence has sparked a firestorm on social media, with critics questioning the league's commitment to tradition and patriotism. Some have even called out the players for what they perceive as a lack of respect. But the league's stance appears to be one of quiet acceptance, as it has not publicly addressed the controversy.
The decision to suspend the policy is not a new one, but it has taken on new significance in the context of the Finals. The league's rulebook may still contain the old language, but in practice, it's a relic. The WNBA has chosen to let its teams decide how to handle the anthem, and so far, the Dream and Valkyries have chosen to sit it out.
This is not the first time the league has faced questions about player protests during the anthem. The precedent set in 2017 has clearly carried over, and the league's current silence speaks volumes about its priorities. As the WNBA's silent stance suggests, the league is content to let the issue fade into the background, focusing instead on the basketball being played.
Critics, however, are not letting it go. Bruce Pearl, the outspoken Auburn coach, recently ripped WNBA stars as 'ungrateful' for their anthem walkout, adding fuel to the fire. The debate is unlikely to subside anytime soon, especially as the Finals continue.
Game 3 of the 2026 WNBA Finals is scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Whether the teams will be on the court for the anthem remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the league has made its decision, and it's not going back.
