---
title: "WNBA Teams Leaving Court During National Anthem Not an Isolated Incident"
url: https://newscentral.site/wnba-teams-leaving-court-during-national-anthem-not-an-isolated/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Politics"
published: 2026-10-20T14:50:19.000Z
updated: 2026-10-20T15:29:07.957Z
id: c752dee2-8853-4c73-8964-8a889c0f24c0
source: "ABC News Politics https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/wnba-finals-national-anthem-rules-teams-stay-court-137405643"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/wnba-teams-leaving-court-during-national-anthem-not-an-isolated/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# WNBA Teams Leaving Court During National Anthem Not an Isolated Incident

The WNBA Finals have highlighted discrepancies in team behavior during the national anthem, with some teams leaving the court before it is played.

The Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream's decision to leave the court during the national anthem ahead of their respective games in the WNBA Finals has sparked curiosity among fans who may not regularly follow the league.

Their absence was noticed on social media, where many were left wondering why these teams chose to take a different approach than others. However, it appears that this is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a long-standing practice within the WNBA.

For at least six seasons now, several teams in the league have been leaving the court with 10 minutes remaining in pregame warm-ups, which coincides with the time when the national anthem is played. This decision has been made for various reasons, including to raise awareness about social justice issues or simply to continue preparations for the game.

Both the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream have a history of leaving the court before the anthem, with the Valkyries maintaining their pregame routine since joining the WNBA last year.

The WNBA has a complex history when it comes to its stance on the national anthem. Some teams have chosen to remain on the court during the anthem, while others have opted to leave early.

This year's WNBA Finals have highlighted the discrepancies in team behavior during the anthem, with some teams continuing their pregame routines as usual and others leaving the court before the music starts playing.

The league's rulebook still outlines a clear protocol for players and coaches during the national anthem. According to the book, they should stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line while the anthem is being played.

However, it appears that these rules were suspended years ago, with the WNBA issuing a memo to teams in 2017 allowing them to forgo the protocol as a way of showing support for victims of hate crimes and white nationalist violence.

The WNBA's anthem policy has been inconsistent, with some teams staying on the court during the national anthem while others leave before it is played. This trend began in 2020, marking a departure from previous years where teams typically remained standing during the anthem.

The league's decision to suspend its protocols appears to have created confusion about who ultimately decides whether teams stay on or off the court. Without clear guidance, teams may be left to make their own decisions, potentially leading to inconsistent displays of respect for the national anthem. The WNBA has yet to respond to requests for clarification on its current policy.

The U.S. women's national team, in contrast, consistently stays on the court during the playing of the national anthem at international competitions like the World Cup and Olympics. This is partly due to the unique timing of these events, where anthems are played after lineup introductions before tipoff, rather than as a pre-game tradition.

---
Source: [ABC News Politics](https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/wnba-finals-national-anthem-rules-teams-stay-court-137405643)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/wnba-teams-leaving-court-during-national-anthem-not-an-isolated/