# WNBA Players Skip Anthem, Spark Olympic Eligibility Calls

> WNBA teams skipped national anthem, prompting demands to bar athletes from Olympic teams.
- Title: WNBA Players Skip Anthem, Spark Olympic Eligibility Calls
- Summary: WNBA teams skipped national anthem, prompting demands to bar athletes from Olympic teams. WNBA players who skipped national anthem face calls to lose Olympic…
- Keywords: wnba, atlanta dream, golden state valkyries, riley gains, team usa, olympic basketball, national anthem, wnba finals, news, politics, Players, Skip
- Source: OutKick — https://foxnews.com/outkick-sports/wnba-anthem-controversy-sparks-calls-bar-players-dont-stand-team-usa-olympic-roster
- Author: Dan Zaksheske
- Published: 2026-10-21T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: wnba, atlanta dream, golden state valkyries, riley gains, team usa, olympic basketball, national anthem, wnba finals, news, politics
## WNBA Teams Skip National Anthem
Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left court before national anthem in WNBA Finals Games 1 and 2.
## Riley Gaines Calls for Consequences
Riley Gaines argues athletes who skip anthem should face Olympic eligibility consequences.

> it’s my personal opinion that if you kneel for the flag and what it represents, you shouldn’t be able to represent the usa at the olympics
## Gaines on Patriotism and Responsibility
Gaines says patriotism requires respect for anthem, not political allegiance.

> the american flag and our national anthem do not represent whichever political party or administration happens to be in power
## Players' Olympic Eligibility
Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard are on Team USA’s 2026 Women’s World Cup roster.

> angel reese and rhyne howard were both named to team usa’s 2026 women’s world cup roster
## Sage Steele Warns of Fan Backlash
Sage Steele says anthem absences could turn fans away forever.

> and i just hope they realize that this constant lack of respect is going to turn fans away forever
## WNBA Rulebook Requirement
WNBA rulebook requires players to stand during national anthem.

> the wnba’s 2026 official rulebook includes a provision calling for players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or foul line during the national anthem
## No Response from WNBA
WNBA and teams have not answered questions about anthem absences.

> neither finals team nor the wnba has answered outkick’s questions about the anthem absences
## Ongoing Debate
Players who skip anthem face calls to lose Olympic eligibility.

> those players should be ineligible to play on the u.s. women’s olympic basketball team
## Key takeaway

WNBA players who skipped national anthem face calls to lose Olympic eligibility.