# WNBA teams skip anthem

> Some WNBA teams leave court before national anthem during games.
- Title: WNBA teams skip anthem · NBC Bay Area | Shortify
- Summary: Some WNBA teams leave court before national anthem during games. WNBA teams skip national anthem to protest social issues, following 2020 policy change after…
- Keywords: wnba, national anthem, golden state valkyries, atlanta dream, breonna taylor, social justice, news, local, teams, skip, anthem, NBC Bay Area
- Source: NBC Bay Area — https://nbcbayarea.com/wnba/wnba-national-anthem-rules-why-some-teams-leave-court/4161638
- Published: 2026-10-20T15:59:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: wnba, national anthem, golden state valkyries, atlanta dream, breonna taylor, social justice, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

WNBA teams skip national anthem to protest social issues, following 2020 policy change after Breonna Taylor's death.