Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-21**Lead**
For the third consecutive game of the 2026 WNBA Finals, the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries chose not to be present on the court during the pre-game performance of the national anthem. The decision, first implemented in Game 1 of the series, has remained consistent through Game 3, played Wednesday night at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. Both teams issued brief statements confirming the move was a collective, player-led decision, though neither side provided additional commentary beyond what was released before the series began.
**Context**
The national anthem has been a flashpoint in professional sports since the 2016 protests led by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who knelt during the anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality. In the years since, athletes across the NBA, WNBA, NFL, and MLB have adopted various forms of silent protest, including kneeling, raising fists, or remaining off the court entirely. The WNBA has historically been at the forefront of player activism, with teams and individual players frequently using their platform to address social and political issues.
In the current Finals series, the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries announced jointly before Game 1 that they would not be on the floor for the anthem, citing a desire to focus attention on what they described as systemic inequities in the league and broader society. The decision was reportedly made after internal discussions among players, coaching staff, and team leadership. Neither the WNBA league office nor the players’ union has issued a formal statement endorsing or condemning the move, though league sources have indicated that the decision falls within the bounds of existing league policies, which do not mandate player presence during the anthem.
This is not the first time a WNBA team has skipped the anthem. In 2020, the entire league observed a moment of silence before games during the bubble season, and individual teams have occasionally opted out of anthem appearances. However, a coordinated, series-long boycott by both Finals participants is unprecedented in the league’s history. The Atlanta Dream, owned by a group that includes former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler—who was a vocal opponent of player activism during her tenure—has undergone significant ownership and cultural changes since Loeffler sold her stake in 2021. The Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team that joined the WNBA in 2025, have built a reputation for progressive player policies and community engagement.
**Analysis**
The sustained anthem boycott during the Finals represents a significant escalation in the ongoing debate over the role of political expression in professional sports. By choosing to remain off the court for the entirety of the series, both teams are making a statement that transcends any single game. The decision forces the league, sponsors, and broadcast partners to confront a reality where player activism is no longer confined to isolated moments or individual gestures but is instead a coordinated, team-level strategy.
From a business perspective, the move carries risks. The WNBA has seen record viewership and attendance in recent years, driven in part by a growing fan base that includes both progressive and conservative audiences. National anthem protests have historically polarized viewership, with some fans expressing support for athletes’ right to protest and others boycotting games or broadcasts. The league’s broadcast partner, ESPN, has not commented on the anthem absence, but the network has continued to air the pre-game coverage without interruption, cutting to commercial during the anthem performance.
The impact on the players themselves is also worth noting. Several Dream and Valkyries players have spoken in the past about the emotional toll of public protest, including online harassment and threats. By acting as a unified group, the teams may be attempting to distribute that burden more evenly. However, the lack of individual player statements during the Finals has also drawn criticism from some media commentators, who argue that the collective silence makes it difficult to understand the specific motivations behind the protest.
**Fontes**
- WNBA official game notes and pre-game media availability for Games 1, 2, and 3 of the 2026 Finals. - Joint statement released by the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries on October 18, 2026. - Historical reporting on WNBA player activism by The Associated Press and ESPN. - Public records of WNBA league policies regarding pre-game ceremonies and player conduct. - Statements from the Atlanta Dream ownership group and Golden State Valkyries front office, as reported by The Athletic and local Atlanta media outlets.