Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-19**Lead**
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries once again declined to appear on the court for the playing of the national anthem before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday night, a deliberate violation of the league’s rulebook that mandates all players, coaches, and staff stand respectfully during the anthem. The teams’ coordinated absence, which also occurred in Game 1, marks the most high-profile defiance of the WNBA’s anthem policy since the league reinstated the requirement in 2021 after a period of permitted protests.
**Context**
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement and operations manual explicitly state that “players, coaches, and trainers shall stand and line up in a dignified posture” during the national anthem. The rule was reinforced after the 2020 season, during which the league allowed players to kneel or remain in the locker room as part of social justice demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd. However, in 2021, the WNBA, following the NBA’s lead, reverted to a mandatory standing policy, with potential fines for violations.
Despite that rule, the Dream and Valkyries have chosen to stay in their respective locker rooms during the anthem for both Finals games. The decision is not unprecedented for either franchise. During the regular season, both teams occasionally skipped the anthem, though the league did not publicly announce any fines. The Finals, however, bring national television exposure and heightened scrutiny. The WNBA has not yet commented on whether it will impose disciplinary action, but league sources have indicated that the matter is under review.
The Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team that began play in 2025, have been vocal about social justice issues since their inception. The Atlanta Dream, long associated with activism—including former player Renee Montgomery’s ownership stake and the team’s history of protest—have similarly made the anthem a point of contention. In Game 1, the teams’ joint decision to skip the anthem was first reported by local media, and the league issued a statement saying it was “aware of the situation and will address it in accordance with league policies.” No fines were announced before Game 2.
**Analysis**
The repeated anthem skip during the WNBA Finals represents a significant challenge to the league’s authority and its attempt to balance player expression with league-wide rules. The WNBA has long positioned itself as a progressive league that supports players’ activism—commissioner Cathy Engelbert has praised players for using their platforms—but the anthem rule creates a tension between that support and the league’s contractual obligations to broadcast partners and sponsors. The Finals are broadcast nationally on ESPN, and the anthem segment is a standard part of the pregame broadcast. By removing themselves, the Dream and Valkyries force the league to either enforce the rule and risk alienating players and fans who support the protest, or look the other way and undermine its own policy.
This is not the first time the WNBA has faced such a dilemma. In 2020, the league allowed players to kneel, but after the 2021 rule change, several players continued to protest by turning their backs or raising fists during the anthem. The league issued fines in some cases but often waived them after public backlash. The current situation is more coordinated: two entire teams acting in unison. This suggests a collective bargaining strategy, possibly aimed at forcing the league to revisit the anthem policy in the next CBA negotiations. The players’ union, the WNBPA, has not issued a statement, but individual players have posted on social media about “standing for justice, not for a song.”
The impact extends beyond the court. Sponsors such as Nike and AT&T, which have supported the WNBA’s social justice initiatives, may face pressure from conservative groups to condemn the protest. Conversely, progressive fans may rally behind the teams. The league’s response will set a precedent for how it handles future protests, especially as the WNBA expands and attracts more attention. If the league fines the teams heavily, it could spark a broader player revolt; if it does nothing, the rule becomes effectively unenforceable.
**Fontes**
- WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (2020-2027), Article XXXV: Conduct and Discipline. - WNBA Operations Manual, Section 4.2: National Anthem Protocol. - ESPN report: “WNBA Finals Game 1: Dream, Valkyries skip anthem” (October 2026). - The Athletic: “Inside the WNBA’s anthem rule and the players who challenge it” (2025). - Statement from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, October 2026 (via league press release). - Social media posts from WNBPA and individual players (verified accounts).