Conservative media keeps whining about Valkyries, WNBA teams skipping anthem
This six-year-old topic continues to be of much interest to one side.
During Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries on October 19, 2026, the national anthem was performed by singer Alanis Morissette before tip-off. In a departure from the norm, both teams allowed their players to leave the court during the anthem and return shortly after. This practice, which has been ongoing since 2020 amid protests against police brutality and racial inequity, has been met with criticism from right-wing media outlets.
The New York Post and Outkick, a right-wing sports blog, accused the WNBA of treating viewers as "political hostages" and exhibiting "obsessive wokery" over the players' actions. Despite the players only being on the court for a matter of seconds during the anthem, the right-wing media outlets portrayed this as a significant issue, with Outkick's Dan Zaksheske suggesting he was unaware of this being a recurring event.
The WNBA's rule allows for team members to stand and line up along the sidelines during the anthem, but this requirement only applies if a player, coach, or staffer is present. In Game 3, which will be held in Atlanta on Wednesday, this topic is expected to be raised again.
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