NEWSLETTER
Yesterday, we learned that the Dallas Mavericks had stopped playing the national anthem before home games at the direction of team owner Mark Cuban. In so doing, the Mavericks became the first professional North American sports team to nix the tradition. Fittingly enough, because the decision was not publicized (and given the absence of fans in the arena), people hadn’t actually noticed its absence through 13 games at the American Airlines Center this season.
And it wasn’t until The Athletic reached out for comment yesterday that the decision came to light, and things came to a head:
Source close to Mark Cuban says decision to not play Anthem before Mavs games isn’t because they don’t love U.S., but because many feel anthem doesn’t represent them, and they want to continue discussion of how to represent people from all communities when honoring U.S. at game.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2021
Almost immediately in response, however, the NBA is pushing back, insisting that the anthem be played before all games at all arenas, per league policy:
BREAKING: NBA issues statement saying *all* clubs will play the national anthem. This in response to Mark Cuban saying the Mavs would stop the practice. pic.twitter.com/BTnYGTJvhP
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) February 10, 2021
Now that fans are heading back to games in limited doses, the league intends to enforce their policy of playing the anthem before games. They also have a policy requiring players to stand during the anthem, but have historically refused to enforce it, for what that’s worth.
Cuban may be one of just a few owners (in any sport, really) both willing and able to make this sort of controversial call (though he seems to have done it with thoughtful intentions), but the NBA wants it to be clear to all that rules are rules. And Cuban intends to comply:
Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks will resume playing the Anthem tonight vs. Atlanta. Statement from Cuban, in part: “The hope is that those who feel passionate about the anthem being played will be just as passionate in listening to those who do not feel it represents them.” pic.twitter.com/XnXpd8ThlW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2021
Again, it seems as though Cuban, himself, enjoys the anthem and was just trying to leverage his unique position to make a statement for those less able. All 30 NBA teams will play the song and that’s that.
