{
  "id": 16588925,
  "title": "‘Focused on the finals’: WNBA players ignore President Trump’s national anthem warning",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/focused-on-the-finals-wnba-players-ignore-president-trumps-national",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T10:50:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/focused-finals-wnba-players-ignore-105053990.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During the WNBA Finals, players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries chose to ignore President Donald Trump's criticism over them leaving the court before the national anthem. Despite Trump's statements at a rally in Iowa, the players maintained their focus on the series rather than engaging with the controversy. Both teams have been leaving the court before the anthem, a practice that has been ongoing for years, despite being against the league's rulebook. President Trump criticized the WNBA and its players, implying that they might ruin the league if they continue with their current approach. However, both the Dream's Allisha Gray and the Valkyries' Kiah Stokes chose not to let the criticism affect their performance, emphasizing their dedication to the team and their pregame routine. The WNBA has also chosen not to comment on Trump's remarks, following a similar approach to other controversies this season.",
  "summary": "United States President Donald Trump took aim at the WNBA last week, criticizing players in the WNBA Finals for leaving the court before the national anthem and telling fans to stop watching the league. The players, however, don’t seem to be all that worried about what he has to say. Members of both the Atlanta…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Germany news: Union slams Audi CEO for joining Trump at campaign rally, while Chancellor Merz and President Steinmeier embark on separate Asia tours",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/germany-news-union-slams-audi-ceo-for-joining-trump-at-campaign-rally",
        "published": "2026-10-26T10:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}