The absence of the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream during the national anthem prior to Game 1 and 2 of the WNBA Finals raised questions among fans. This practice has been common in the league for several seasons, as many teams, including the Valkyries and Dream, have chosen to leave the court during the anthem to promote social justice or continue pregame preparation.
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The Valkyries have stated that their routine of retreating to the locker room during the anthem has been consistent since they joined the league last year. Similarly, the Atlanta Dream has followed this practice for several years. In contrast, some teams, like Indiana and Minnesota, have opted to remain on the court when the anthem is played.
There is ongoing confusion regarding the WNBA's national anthem policy. While the league's rulebook requires players, coaches, and trainers to stand in a designated area during the anthem, this protocol has been suspended for several years. The suspension was initially implemented after the 2017 season to allow players to express solidarity following the violent events of a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
In 2020, many teams continued to leave the court before the anthem in tribute to Breonna Taylor, who was killed in Louisville, Kentucky. The decision for teams to remain or leave during the anthem appears to be largely left to the discretion of the teams themselves, following the suspension of formal protocols.
The WNBA could provide clearer guidance to teams, as there seems to be uncertainty regarding the anthem policy. The league did not respond to inquiries from The Associated Press about this issue.
Unlike the WNBA, the U.S. national teams always stand for the anthem during international competitions like the World Cup and the Olympics, where the timing differs from regular WNBA games, as anthems are played after team introductions.