The WNBA Finals have become the center of a growing national anthem controversy after players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries remained off the court during the pregame performance for the third consecutive game.
Both teams headed toward their locker rooms before the national anthem Wednesday night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, continuing a practice that had already drawn criticism from spectators and political figures.
Vice President JD Vance was among the most prominent critics, publicly condemning the players’ absence and describing the behavior as ‘disgraceful.’
Despite the controversy surrounding the first two games of the championship series, neither team changed its pregame routine before Game 3.
The decision generated another wave of reactions online, with critics accusing the players of disrespecting the United States while others pointed to the WNBA’s history of allowing teams discretion over anthem participation.
The precise reasons behind the teams’ decisions during this particular series have not been publicly established.
Dream and Valkyries Leave Court Before Game 3 Anthem
The latest incident occurred Wednesday evening as Atlanta prepared to host Golden State in a pivotal championship matchup.
Shortly before singer Q Parker performed The Star-Spangled Banner, players from both teams departed the playing surface and headed toward their respective locker rooms.
Their absence mirrored the pregame routines seen during Games 1 and 2 in San Francisco.
The repeated departures have attracted considerable attention because they involve both teams competing for the league championship on one of the WNBA’s most visible stages.
The controversy also intensified after Vance publicly criticized the players ahead of Wednesday’s contest.
Nevertheless, the teams maintained their established routine rather than remaining on the floor for the performance.
Although some observers have interpreted the departures as a coordinated political protest, neither team has publicly provided a specific explanation for its actions during the Finals.
That distinction is important because leaving the court before the anthem has become an established practice for several WNBA organizations in recent seasons.
JD Vance Condemns Players’ Anthem Absence
Vance addressed the controversy during an interview with Raymond Arroyo, criticizing the players for what he viewed as an inappropriate expression of political disagreement.
‘I think it’s disgraceful,’ the vice president said.
‘I think that you should not express some criticism of a public policy of a given politician by disrespecting the country writ large,’ he told Raymond Arroyo.
Vance argued that professional athletes benefit from opportunities and protections available in the United States and should demonstrate greater appreciation for those circumstances.
‘I mean, those women who play for the WNBA, think of the public safety, think of the incredible wealth and privilege, the amazing jobs that they have.
‘They have a lot to be grateful to the United States for, and I think that if they had a bit more of a spirit of gratitude, they’d be happier people, and they wouldn’t offend so many people as well.’
His remarks framed the issue as a question of national respect and whether political disagreements should influence participation in patriotic ceremonies.
The vice president also emphasized his belief that Americans should maintain a sense of attachment to their country regardless of their political differences.
‘Whether you were born in the United States or whether you came here by choice, this is your country. And I think that we’re all meant to love it.
‘We’re all meant to try to make it the best version of itself. But fundamentally, I think, without love of country, I think that you’re going to be a disordered human being.’
Vance’s comments added a prominent political dimension to a debate that had initially developed around the teams’ pregame routines.
However, his interpretation of the players’ motives has not been confirmed by statements from the Dream or Valkyries.
WNBA Rulebook Creates Questions About Anthem Policy
The controversy has also raised questions about the WNBA’s official expectations for players during the national anthem.
The league’s published rulebook includes language directing players, coaches and trainers to stand in a dignified manner during the performance.
On its face, that provision appears to require teams to participate in the pregame ceremony.
However, the situation is more complicated than the rulebook language alone suggests.
According to an Associated Press report, the WNBA suspended enforcement of its anthem policy in 2017, allowing players greater freedom in how they approached the ceremony.
In subsequent seasons, several teams began leaving the court before the anthem, sometimes as an expression of support for social justice causes and sometimes as part of their regular pregame preparation.
The practice has continued in different forms across the league.
Some teams remain on the court for the anthem, while others leave before the performance and return afterward.
The Associated Press reported that the league has not clearly explained its current decision-making process for anthem participation.
That history complicates claims that the Dream and Valkyries are necessarily violating an actively enforced requirement.
While the rulebook contains language about standing during the anthem, the league’s previous suspension of enforcement and subsequent practices are relevant to understanding the situation.
Fans React to Latest Finals Controversy
Wednesday’s departures generated another round of criticism on social media.
Some viewers expressed frustration that the players had continued leaving the court despite the attention surrounding the first two games.
‘Disgusting!’ one wrote. ‘Both teams ran to hide in the locker room during the National Anthem. What a disgrace.’
Another claimed ‘any WNBA player that does not participate in the national anthem should be ineligible to play for the USA National and Olympic Teams,’ while a third said: ‘Anyone watching the @wnba after the complete disrespect of our country, walking out on the Anthem, is a loser.’
Those comments reflected one side of a broader disagreement about patriotism, protest and the responsibilities of athletes competing in professional sports.
Critics argue that players representing American sports organizations should participate in ceremonies honoring the country.
Others maintain that athletes should have discretion over whether to participate, particularly given the WNBA’s history of activism and its previous decision to suspend enforcement of anthem requirements.
The disagreement also reflects different interpretations of what an athlete’s absence signifies.
For some observers, leaving the court is inherently disrespectful. For others, it may represent peaceful expression or simply an established pregame routine.
Without direct explanations from the teams about their decisions during the Finals, assigning a single motivation to every player would be speculative.
Atlanta Dream Have History of Anthem Protests
The Dream have previously participated in organized demonstrations surrounding the national anthem.
During the 2020 season, amid nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd, the team joined other WNBA players in using pregame ceremonies to draw attention to racial inequality and social justice issues.
At the time, the Dream included messaging from the Women’s National Basketball Players Association in their game notes explaining the broader reasoning behind anthem-related demonstrations.
The statement said that ‘the anthem does not represent freedom, justice and liberty for all Americans’.
That earlier position provides historical context for Atlanta’s involvement in anthem demonstrations.
However, it does not automatically establish that the team’s current departures are intended to communicate precisely the same message.
The WNBA has maintained a visible connection to social activism for years, with players frequently speaking publicly about issues involving equality, civil rights and political representation.
The league’s approach to anthem participation has evolved alongside those conversations.
As a result, the current controversy involves both longstanding questions about athlete expression and the specific expectations surrounding championship games.
Championship Series Continues Amid Political Debate
The dispute has unfolded during a closely contested WNBA Finals matchup between Atlanta and Golden State.
The teams entered Game 3 with the best-of-seven series tied at one victory apiece.
Golden State hosted the opening two contests before the championship shifted to Atlanta, where State Farm Arena provided the setting for the next stage of the series.
The Dream entered Wednesday’s matchup hoping to build on their Game 2 victory and move ahead in the championship race.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries were seeking to regain momentum and take another step toward the franchise’s first title.
Both organizations are pursuing a historic championship, but their pregame conduct has increasingly become part of the national conversation surrounding the series.
The anthem controversy has also attracted attention beyond traditional basketball audiences, with political commentary and social media reactions bringing additional scrutiny to the league.
Whether the teams will continue the same routine for the remainder of the Finals remains to be seen.
TMSPN Take
The controversy surrounding the WNBA Finals illustrates how a routine pregame decision can become a major national debate when questions of patriotism and political expression intersect.
JD Vance has made his position clear, arguing that professional athletes should demonstrate respect for the United States during the national anthem.
Others view anthem participation as a matter of individual expression, particularly in a league that has historically allowed players greater discretion over the ceremony.
An important distinction is that the Dream and Valkyries have not publicly established the specific motivation behind their departures during this series.
It is therefore premature to characterize every player’s absence as a direct political statement or a deliberate response to the vice president.
The WNBA could reduce confusion by clearly explaining its current anthem policy, including whether the language in its rulebook remains enforceable.
Until then, the disagreement is likely to continue, with supporters and critics interpreting the same pregame routine in very different ways.
Meanwhile, Atlanta and Golden State are competing for a championship that deserves attention in its own right, even as the national anthem debate remains part of the conversation.
Related:
- WNBA Finals Marred by Heated Confrontation as Transgender Rights Activist Reports Being Told to ‘Kill Herself’ During Game 1
- Caitlin Clark Makes Surprising Admission About Fame as WNBA Superstar Reveals What Fans Don’t See
Like MediaFeed’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article originally appeared on Tmspn.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.co
