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WNBA Finals Teams Absent During National Anthem, Drawing Political Response
What happened
Players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries were not on the court during the national anthem before multiple WNBA Finals games. Vice President JD Vance criticized the absences, calling them "disgraceful." Some players cited pregame routines when asked about the absences.
Side by side
Left-leaning outlets focus on explaining the situation, with USA Today asking "Did WNBA's Dream, Valkyries break National Anthem rules?" and the Associated Press covering "The rules and why some teams stay on the court and others don't."
- USADid WNBA's Dream, Valkyries break National Anthem rules? Controversy explainedUSA Today · Lean Left · link via Google News
- APWNBA Finals and the national anthem: The rules and why some teams stay on the court and others don'tAssociated Press · Lean Left · link via Google News
No outlet on this side covered it.
Right-leaning outlets characterize the absences as intentional acts of "snubbing," "buffoonery," and "disrespect," with the New York Post saying the league "rots from the inside out" and multiple outlets amplifying calls for consequences including loss of Olympic eligibility and describing it as a "leadership crisis."
- WEXPlayers ‘intentionally trying to destroy’ WNBA as national anthem controversy erupts: Joe ConchaWashington Examiner · Lean Right
- BLZJason Whitlock calls out LeBron James and the WNBA for snubbing the national anthemBlaze Media · Right
- FOXWNBA players, coaches refuse to explain national anthem absences amid mounting criticismFox News Digital · Right
- NYPThe WNBA’s national anthem buffoonery sends a clear and ignorant messageNew York Post · Right
- DWWNBA’s Anthem Controversy Is A Leadership Crisis, And NBA Has A Problem On Its HandsThe Daily Wire · Right
- NYPValkyries, Dream continue to snub anthem at WNBA Finals as Vance calls protest ‘disgraceful’New York Post · Right
- NYPJD Vance condemns ‘disgraceful’ protests at WNBA Finals, says players need to show more respectNew York Post · Right
- FOXVance condemns 'disgraceful' WNBA national anthem walkouts, says players should show more gratitudeFox News Digital · Right
- FOXWNBA anthem controversy sparks calls to bar players who don't stand from Team USA's Olympic rosterFox News Digital · Right
- FOXNBA stays silent on WNBA Finals teams skipping the national anthem before Games 1 and 2Fox News Digital · Right
- FOXOutKick readers blast WNBA players for hiding during Finals national anthemFox News Digital · Right
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