Now the NBA has joined the WNBA and both teams in leaving OutKick’s questions about those absences unanswered.DREAM, VALKYRIES SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM IN WNBA FINALS GAME 2 DESPITE RULEBOOK REQUIREMENTAlanis Morissette performs the national anthem before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco.The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries were off the court during the performance.
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)OutKick contacted NBA Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass on Tuesday.The inquiry asked about the NBA’s role in the matter, possible discipline and whether the teams would be instructed to be present for the anthem before Wednesday’s Game 3.The NBA did not respond by the deadline.The WNBA and both teams also have not answered OutKick’s repeated inquiries.The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook calls for players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up along the sidelines or foul line during the national anthem.OutKick asked Bass whether the NBA has a role in overseeing or enforcing that provision, or whether enforcement is solely the WNBA’s responsibility.We also asked whether NBA Commissioner Adam Silver or anyone at the NBA league office had discussed the absences with WNBA leadership and, if so, what guidance had been provided.OutKick asked the NBA whether Commissioner Adam Silver or other league officials had discussed the WNBA Finals anthem absences with WNBA leadership.
The NBA has not answered.(Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)WNBA SILENT AS FINALS TEAMS SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM DESPITE RULE REQUIRING PLAYERS TO STAND IN LINEAdditional questions covered whether either team had received an exemption, whether discipline was planned or under consideration, and whether the teams would be instructed to be on the court for Game 3.The NBA was given until the end of Tuesday to respond.Bass’s responsibilities span both leagues.
His 2026 Sports PR Summit biography says he oversees public relations, including bas...