WNBA Players Skip National Anthem Again as Fans Demand Accountability

Clear Facts

• Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries players stepped off the court before the national anthem at Game 2 of the WNBA Finals in San Francisco.
• League rules require players to stand and line up during the anthem performance.
• WNBA leadership has remained silent on the repeated violations despite the rulebook requirement.

OutKick readers delivered a swift and unified message after Monday night’s WNBA Finals game in San Francisco. Players from both the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries once again left the court before the national anthem and returned only after singer Alanis Morissette finished performing.

The league’s refusal to enforce its own rules has drawn sharp criticism from fans who expect professional athletes to show respect for the country that gives them their platform.

UNLV Doc has some deep thoughts to share:

WNBA types and political sycophants probably think they’re rebels, and they are. But they are rebelling against order and creation in favor of chaos, which is always the easy way to mindlessly effect change, and what the selfish have always done. Honorable rebels take a stand, work, and sacrifice, even against self-interest to bravely bring about something other than the chaos that naturally exists without applied effort to create something good. I’m looking forward to seeing such leaders emerge from the WNBA mob; I know they’re in there somewhere.

Richard C. proposed a strong penalty for the repeated violations.

Richard C. sent in this great take:

How about a double disqualification and no champion recognized this year.

Carmen, a female coach, expressed deep disappointment in how the league has strayed from its original purpose.

Carmen has hit a breaking point:

I love Daily Outkick and I hate the WNBA and everyday it’s just funny to read and move on. It’s not that funny anymore. The WNBA has failed women. As a female coach, I do my best to build strong, confident, capable, athletes who happen to be females. They are held to a standard that doesn’t include entitlement, excuses, or any agenda other than TEAM.

The WNBA is about anything but sport, and that is inexcusable for so many young women pursuing professional sports. Pushing themselves to another level to achieve their goals. It’s embarrassing that this is women’s professional basketball when so few hold themselves to that level. It’s a soap opera that deserves zero attention.

As an organization that is supposed to promote the best in women’s sport, it’s become laughable. It’s a joke that has a played out punchline. You have failed those you are supposed to be a trailblazer for. When athletic performance is secondary to everything else, you have failed as a league.

Pops pointed out that the league appears more focused on politics than basketball.

Pops makes a good point:

The WNBA proves once again they are a political activist organization not a women’s basketball organization. They decide what rules they want to enforce and what rules they will not enforce.

Kenneth called for decisive action against the players and the league.

Kenneth is fed up:

Well I have an answer. If the WNBA had any balls (which they don’t) both teams would be banned from playing the game and all players suspended indefinitely. If you can’t attend and stand for the national anthem of the country that has given you everything then you have no business being here.

Mark S. urged the league to enforce standards and set an example.

Mark S. sends a message to WNBA executives:

What a crock. The league is a farce and an embarrassment to our country, not thier country. Fine them all. This is not a political forum it is a game and rules are rules. Enough of the lesbian leaque and who wnba management listen to. Stand up and control your players or get rid of them Set an example.

Mike Mc. questioned why anyone would continue supporting the league.

Mike Mc. says:

The WNBA is a sideshow of awkward misfits playing a child’s game poorly. It’s no surprise that they do dumb things, but it is surprising that any discerning “fan” pays attention to this collection of grumpy malcontents. On second thought, if you had any discernment, you wouldn’t be a fan. Problem solved.

Joe B. suggested removing the league from American arenas entirely.

Joe B. wants the WNBA to take a hike:

Remove the entire league from USA arenas. Sell the entire group to Europe, Asia or a South America country. Who needs these disrespectful ingrates playing here?

Don expressed frustration with the league’s ongoing self-centered behavior.

Don says enough is enough:

Why are we continually putting up with the WNBA? They have proven they are a league that continually cares only about themselves and no one or nothing else.The league fails to react to any of the players who disobey the rules. They have tried to turn this into a racial bias league. I think i am done.

Gary called for consequences to match the disrespect shown.

Gary says punish them for breaking the rules:

This is just another example of disrespect for our nation and should not go unpunished by the league. Actions should have consequences.

Richard S. urged an end to coverage of the league’s behavior.

Richard S. tells us:

Stop giving the anti American league any more print.

Michael M. demanded accountability from international players and others who refuse to honor the anthem.

Michael M. emails:

I think all the international players should be deported for not respecting the American flag and National Anthem and all the lesbians be disbarred from playing in the WNBA.

Jerry delivered a blunt assessment of the league’s audience.

Jerry has a simple message:

Real Americans don’t watch this trash anyway.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.