From NBC Bay Area · · 1m
WNBA teams skip anthem
Some WNBA teams leave court before national anthem during games.
In brief
Some WNBA teams leave court before national anthem during games. WNBA teams skip national anthem to protest social issues, following 2020 policy change after Breonna Taylor's death. Originally reported by NBC Bay Area.
WNBA anthem rule
Some wnba teams leave court before national anthem during games.
Why teams skip anthem
Teams leave to raise awareness for social justice issues or get ready for the game.
Valkyries and Dream routine
Valkyries say they follow the same pregame routine since becoming a wnba franchise last year; Atlanta has left the court before the anthem the past several years.
2020 policy change
In 2020, teams left court before anthem as wnba dedicated season to breonna taylor who was killed in her louisville, kentucky home.
Rulebook confusion
The wnba rulebook states players should stand during anthem but protocols were suspended years ago.
Who decides
League defers to teams on anthem decision after suspending protocols in 2017.
In short
WNBA teams skip national anthem to protest social issues, following 2020 policy change after Breonna Taylor's death.
