The NBA and WNBA have declined to address questions regarding the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries remaining off the court during the national anthem before the opening games of the WNBA Finals.
Both teams left the floor ahead of the anthem before Saturday’s series opener and again ahead of Game 2 on Monday at the Chase Center in San Francisco, where singer Alanis Morissette performed. The players returned to the court within seconds of the performance ending. The actions run counter to a provision in the WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook that requires players, coaches, and trainers to stand and line up along the sidelines or foul line during the presentation.
Inquiries were sent to NBA Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass on Tuesday, requesting comment on the league’s role in the matter, potential disciplinary actions, and whether teams would be instructed to be present for the anthem before Wednesday’s Game 3. The outreach also questioned whether NBA Commissioner Adam Silver or other league officials had discussed the absences with WNBA leadership. The NBA did not respond by the Tuesday deadline, and the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream, and the Golden State Valkyries have likewise not answered repeated inquiries regarding the incidents.
Mike Bass’s responsibilities span both leagues, with his 2026 Sports PR Summit biography noting that he oversees public relations for both the NBA and WNBA. The NBA’s involvement in the women’s league traces back to its creation, when the NBA Board of Governors approved the WNBA in 1996.
In February 2021, Bass issued an official statement on behalf of the NBA reiterating that all teams must play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy. However, current questions center specifically on whether WNBA teams are required to be physically present on the court during the performance rather than whether the anthem is played.
Media representatives attended five pregame and postgame press conferences on Saturday, as well as both coaches’ sessions on Monday, but were not called upon to ask questions during the nine media availability sessions. Both teams are scheduled to return to the court as the WNBA Finals continue.
