Atlanta Dream players leave court before national anthem during WNBA Finals games

The Atlanta Dream, competing in the WNBA Finals, did not stand on the court during the playing of the national anthem before Game 1 and Game 2, a move that drew attention on social media, according to the Morning Journal and Times Herald.

This practice of leaving the court about 10 minutes before the anthem has been common among many WNBA teams for at least six seasons, either to raise awareness for social justice issues or to continue pregame preparations, the reports said.

The Golden State Valkyries, the Dream’s Finals opponent, also left the court before the anthem, maintaining their routine since joining the league last year, while some teams like Indiana and Minnesota stayed on the court during the anthem.

WNBA league rules state that players, coaches, and trainers should stand in a dignified posture during the anthem, but these protocols have been suspended since 2017 to allow players to express support for social causes, according to the reports.

In 2020, teams left the court before the anthem as the league dedicated the season to Breonna Taylor, highlighting the ongoing connection between anthem protocols and social justice awareness in the WNBA, the sources noted.