Golden State Valkyries skip national anthem during WNBA Finals games

The Golden State Valkyries did not take the court during the playing of the national anthem before Games 1 and 2 of the WNBA Finals, a practice that has drawn attention on social media, according to the East Bay Times.

This routine of leaving the court about 10 minutes before the anthem has been common among many WNBA teams for at least six seasons. Some teams do this to raise awareness for social justice issues or to focus on game preparation.

The Valkyries have maintained this practice since their franchise began last year. Similarly, the Atlanta Dream have also left the court before the anthem for several years. However, some teams like Indiana and Minnesota have stayed on the court during the anthem.

The WNBA rulebook states that players, coaches, and trainers should stand in a dignified posture during the anthem, but these protocols were suspended in 2017 to allow players to show support for social causes. Since then, teams have followed varying practices regarding the anthem.

The league’s suspension of the anthem protocol was initially in response to events such as the Charlottesville rally in 2017 and was reaffirmed in 2020 when the league dedicated the season to Breonna Taylor. That year, the entire season was played in Florida.

Fans in the San Francisco Bay Area can expect the Golden State Valkyries to continue their pregame routine during future games, reflecting the ongoing balance between league rules and players’ social expressions.